Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) 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 which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN
• Licensure: Active - full - current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) - of the United States or the District of Columbia
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS-03 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-04 Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-05 Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous medications
• This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest
• Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies
• GS-06 Proficiency 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 - using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments - and accurately recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information Ability to observe - identify - and respond to a 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 - 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 - documents - and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations and the 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 - 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 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 includes preparing the patient and 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 and Certifications: Acute care experience within the last 3 years Telemetry certification Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06
• Physical Requirements: VA Handbook 5019

Duties

• The Buffalo VA Medical Center is seeking a full-time Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for the Acute Med Surg/Telemetry (5C)Team
• The LPN will perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer for service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran
• The incumbent works under the direction and supervision of the registered nurse and displays knowledge and ability in providing a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems at the Buffalo VA Medical Center
• The LPN functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team - participates in providing holistic care to patients in acute - sub-acute or chronic stages of illness with changing nursing needs that are predictable and require periodic assessment by the registered nurse
• The incumbent also carries out all functions and duties outlined for the practical nurse - but on a regular and recurring basis performs aspects of nursing care that require a basic understanding of the total patient program - understanding of simple scientific facts and principles - a broad spectrum of technical skills - adaptation of procedures to meet individual patient needs - and recognition of the relatedness of patients' behavior and physical condition
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Establishing positive patient/family/staff relationships by utilizing appropriate communication skills
• Assisting in the collection and documentation of routine objective and subjective data relative to uncomplicated patient situations
• Participating in patient centered conferences and shift reports
• Assisting and maintaining a clean - safe - and therapeutic environment
• Adhering to all safety and health standards - regulations - and work practices
• Providing competent patient care in a manner which ensures safety to patients - staff - visitors - and self - and seeking direction as needed
• Assisting with simple diagnostic measures - including collection of urine and stool specimens - and collecting and/or testing any other specimens as instructed
• Assisting with appropriate actions in emergency situations
• initiating CPR when indicated
• Maintains BLS certification
• Performing routine treatments relevant to area of assignment
• Administering selected medications to a number of patients and seeking clarification of orders as necessary
• Identifying the need for PRN medications - recognizing and reporting effects of medication
• Documenting the administration of all medications in the Medical Record following established policies
• Documenting the response to PRN medications in the medical record
• Recording basic information in the medical record and reporting patient status to RN
• Documenting patient/family/significant other teaching and their response to the teaching
• Displaying respect for human dignity and the uniqueness of the patient unrestricted by consideration of social or economic status - personal attributes - or nature of health problems
• Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature
• Assisting with the implementation of the quality improvement program at the unit level
• Following established safety practices and reporting to the supervisor - as promptly as possible - unsafe conditions - unsafe practices - or any occupational illness or injury which was sustained
• Maintains professional boundaries with patients - families - and other staff at all times
• All other duties as assigned
• Preferred Experience and Certifications: Acute care experience within the last 3 years Telemetry certification Work Schedule: Full-Time - Day/Night 12-hour shifts 0730-2000 - variable days
• Including weekends and holidays
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized