Career Center

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Exceptions include: Health care education in the military service or training in the military service that is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure meets the education requirements. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. Licensure: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the US, or District of Columbia. Language Proficiency: Eligible candidates must be proficient in English (spoken and written) May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g., medication administration); however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved. GS-4: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR Must have graduated from an approved school and one year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures; OR Must have graduated from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent AND Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes. Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice. Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures. Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO. Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO, and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review. GS-6: Completion of one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN AND Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and to accurately recognize, report and record relevant] patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a RN/MD/DO for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education. In organizing and delivering care, the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations, and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members, and other staff. Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers. Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which include preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, and monitoring the patient's condition before, during, and following the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice Preferred Experience: At least one year of LPN experience. Interest, flexibility and experience in all types of practical nursing. Able to adjust to ever changing work environment including floating to other areas. References: VA Handbook 5005/3 Part II Appendix G13 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45lbs and over), pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, kneeling, bending, and climbing. Environmental factors are working alone, working closely with others, and protracted or irregular hours of work. ["LPN is expected to provide a full range of practical nursing care to residents with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Has knowledge and understanding of human behavior, resident motivations, and reactions to situations, and ability to appropriately use this knowledge to work effectively with residents, families, and staff. Will provides safe, individualized quality care nursing to residents with varying medical/emotional needs. Scope of Duties: The duties listed are at the GS-6 level, developmental grades will differ in complexity and level of supervision. Resident Care: Provides safe, individualized quality care nursing to residents with varying medical/emotional needs. Performs resident care according to population, age-specific and cultural needs of residents. Observes and reports changes in residents' conditions to RN or MD; responds to changes in residents' condition. Safeguards confidential information regarding residents and personnel. Performs a wide range diagnostic support duties; handles specialized equipment after completing skills checklists. Performs treatments and procedures within the scope of license and facility policies and procedures. Prepares and administers medications in accordance with policies and reports and records adverse reactions. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs and CNAs related to support duties for more complex, specialized tests/procedures. Assumes responsibility for completing orientation and skills checklists. Open to learning new skills and new ways of doing things. Supports others who are trying new approaches to resident care. Provides effective education to residents and/or family members in relation to common diseases processes, medication, and/or treatments. Has a broad knowledge of practical nursing procedures. Has knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and specialized procedures. Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing care to variable resident populations. Uses judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments. Conduct resident care according to VA and CLC policies, procedures, and Numbered Memorandums. Ability to complete tasks thoroughly and independently with little direct supervision. Documentation: Documentation is timely and complete. Accurately reports changes in residents' medical and emotional conditions. Actively listens and communicates clearly. Work Planning: Able to plan, organize, and complete resident care assignments in a timely manner, with minimal assistance. Seeks assistance from appropriate resource person as needed. Works calmly in high-stress situations. Willing to adjust schedule to accommodate resident care needs. Able to handle multiple tasks. Accountable for and learns from mistakes. Comfortable with changing demands of job and environment. Accountable for work obligations and responsibilities. Reports punctually on and off duty. Observes uniform policy; maintains neat, clean appearance. Uses resources wisely. Interpersonal Effectiveness: At the minimum maintain ethical standards of behavior. The employee must follow MG-VAMC and CLC policy, procedure, and numbered memorandums regarding ethical conduct and behavior. Conduct oneself in an honest, fair, and ethical manner regarding work practice and interactions with Veterans, families, employees, and the general public. Seeks accurate information and avoids jumping to conclusions. Refrain from gossip and defamation of character related to all employees, Veterans, visitors, family, and general public. Work Environment: The work is performed in a clinical setting, at bedside, offsite, and at a workstation. Involves everyday risks or discomforts and requires normal safety precautions typical of such places as resident rooms, common resident areas and clinical offices. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Has close contact with residents and staff and is therefore exposed to communicable diseases. Consistently addresses and assists with resident, family and staff frustrations. There is a potential contact with combative/confused/ disoriented residents. Work Schedule: Thursday thru Saturday and every other Wednesday, 7:00am - 7:30pm\nCompressed/Flexible: Available\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Stacey Hermann, EDRP Coordinator, for questions/assistance at v20compensationteam@va.gov\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]