Vocational Nurse (Veteran Affairs Clinic Lubbock)

Summary 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. Program 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. 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. 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) and 7407(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 (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing (NLNAC) – 61 Broadway – 33rd Floor – New York – NY 10006 Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website Exceptions include in Education section below 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) 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 – Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent 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-06 – 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 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 Use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments 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 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 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 Continued on benefits section Duties VA Careers – Licensed Clinical Social Worker: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional 1 Demonstrates expert knowledge – technical skills – and application of the nursing process in providing comprehensive – effective healthcare to the patient Follows current policy and procedures in completing the required clinical reminders for Specialty Outpatient clinics which includes but not limited to: Suicidal ideation/ Homicidal ideation - PTSD/Depression - Positive Audit-C (alcohol screening) Notifies provider and/or RN of findings and completes documentation appropriately Documents Temperature & Humidity in specified locations where RMD items and supplies are and stored Adheres to the policy and procedures when readings indicate out of range Assist with Telehealth clinics – when need arises Communicate and collaborate with the Facility Telehealth Coordinator (FTC) in working through process issues – equipment needs/problems – data collection – or any other logistical telehealth issues Adapts to the individual needs of every Specialty clinic while providing care to patient and assisting the provider Serve as a chaperone for gender‑specific exams when required Demonstrates ICARE values and professional behaviors – i.e. – respect for others – collegiality – use of professionalism communication (verbal – non‑verbal and email) – ability to accept constructive criticism – etc Participates and ensures a "time‑out" is performed prior to procedures and documents with all required information per policy Completes education on sterile field and demonstrates maintenance of sterile field when required Documents the patient's care given in the Electronic Health Record – according to policy Performance reflects knowledge in areas of care specific to Specialty Outpatient clinical services Performs – reports – and records assigned nursing care in the Specialty Care Clinics – including – but not limited to Oxygen therapy – check expiration dates of medications and supplies – delegated procedures – and treatments – assists with minor procedures – including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment – positioning patient – ensuring comfort and privacy of patient Monitors patient during the procedure and reports and documents any deviations or changes Coordinates patient care of multiple patients – prioritizing patient care to ensure patient needs are met in a timely fashion to enhance patient flow Performs all aspects of patient care – within scope of practice – in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical and/or healthcare errors Demonstrates knowledge of location – care – and operation of Specialty OPC specific equipment Aware of RMD Directives and can locate unit RMD notebooks with procedures and manufacture instructions for all RMD Demonstrates competency in set‑up – use – reprocessing/cleaning – maintenance – and storage of all identified RMD equipment Aware of responsibilities thereof Assists in the orientation and competency validation of peers Work Schedule: 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Benefits Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases – a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade) Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave – 13 days of sick leave – 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment – up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth – adoption – or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment – full‑time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52290F – 52289F – 52288F – and 52287F. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr