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 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: Citizenship: Must be a Citizen of the United States. Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Education: Must be a 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. Licensure: Must possess a Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia. 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-3 Level: 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 Level: Must have completed six (6) months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN OR Graduation 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. GS-5 Level: Must have completed at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent that includes: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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 Level: Must have completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN that includes: 1.Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. 2. 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 registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. 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. 8. 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. 9. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3, PART II, APPENDIX G13. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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: Requires potentially long periods of continues walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patient and objects may be required. ["The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) assigned to the Community Living Center (CLC), located at the James H Quillen VA Medical Center, provides direct patient care to adult through geriatric aged patients, recognizing the age-related needs and demonstrating the knowledge and care appropriate for that age group. The LPN, CLC, provides effective education to residents and/or families members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and/or prescribed treatment regimes. Performs direct patient care activities, as appropriate to assignment, (includes, but is not limited to): Ensure proper identification of patient per policy before administering care. Address patient needs in timely manner. Willingly assist co-workers without being asked and work well as a team member. Actively participate in change of shift by communicating all pertinent patient/resident information to Team Leader, Charge Nurse or receiving shift. Provide support to patients in their activities of daily living and teach patients with social deficits to perform activities of daily living. Provide support to depressed patients to increase self-esteem. Encourage appropriate forms of socialization among patients. Provide frequent orientation to confused and disoriented patients. Provide observation status as needed. Protect patients on in Domiciliary from aggressive outbursts by other patients and maintain a therapeutic milieu on the ward. Utilize appropriate crisis intervention techniques. Prepare, administer and record oral, IM, eye, ear, rectal, topical and inhalation medications, is aware of nursing implications of medication administration and bases nursing observations and care upon this knowledge. Administer medications safely and observe for desired action and adverse reactions; will report and record same. Perform duties in a safe manner to prevent patient/employee accident/injury. Collect hazardous materials from patients in accordance with policies. Assist the registered nurse with admission, transfer, and discharge of patients; completing duties as assigned and under the supervision of the registered nurse. Demonstrate the ability to utilize the computer independently for obtaining patient information and maintaining accurate input of data regarding patient orders, i.e. laboratory, unit location. Collect and label specimens for laboratory study, such as urine, sputum and stool. Be knowledgeable and correctly utilize the RACE procedure during fire drills and emergency situations. The LPN verbalizes the steps within the RACE procedure and his/her responsibility. Report faulty equipment and safety hazards and maintain safety alertness. Accurately obtain and document measurements, such as vital signs, pain, weights, finger sticks for glucose monitoring, intake and output and pulse oximetry to include documentation of oxygen flow rate/room air and route. Prepare patient for and obtain 12 lead EKG's per training and facility procedure guidelines. Recognize life-threatening conditions, initiate appropriate or life-saving action in a timely, appropriate and effective manner. Performs other duties as assigned. GS Pay Scale\nWork Schedule: The tour of duty is rotational\nCompressed/Flexible: Not applicable\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position\nFunctional Statement #: Licensed Practical Nurse CLC/#000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact visn9hredrp@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required for this position"]