Licensed Practical Nurse - Patient Aligned Care Team

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 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 Licensure: 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 Physical Requirements Please see physical requirements in additional information section English Language Proficiency Must be proficient in both spoken and written English 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: a) 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 AND b) Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations c) 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 d) 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: e) 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 f) 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 g) 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 h) 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 i) 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;) j) 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: 2 years of Patient Aligned Care Team Experience Preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06 Physical Requirements: Work will require long periods of regular and recurring standing and walking (8 hours) with regular and recurring heavy lifting (35 lbs and over) and positioning of patients while maintaining balance Must be able to bend - stoop - squat - kneel - move body and extremities quickly - push and pull equipment - carry equipment and supplies (heavy 35 lbs and over) without personal limitations or physical restrictions Protracted periods of sitting with an assigned patient may be required Physical endurance and physical tolerance are required for an 8-hour shift as assigned These are essential functions of the position The employee is alert to the possibility of patient assault and may need to protect herself/himself using non-abusive physical intervention techniques The incumbent must have full range of motion of each joint He/she must be able to grasp - maintain balance - and lower a patient safely to the floor unassisted while physically controlling a violent patient They must have fine motor skills Must be emotionally and mentally stable. Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The LPN provides direct care to a patient which does not require full professional nurse education - but require skills which have been issued by the licensing authority Primary Responsibilities Include but are not limited to: - Administers prescribed medications accurately and safely - monitoring patients for therapeutic and adverse responses - Performs basic nursing care under limited supervision - including obtaining vital signs - collecting specimens - and supporting clinical procedures by passing instruments as needed - Initiates appropriate emergency responses and independently performs resuscitation efforts in accordance with clinical guidelines - Collects - documents - and reports patient information to support nursing assessments and contribute to individualized patient care plans - Changes patient dressings using proper aseptic technique and follows wound-care protocols.- Assists patients with activities of daily living-such as bathing - oral hygiene - and continence care-while promoting comfort - dignity - and independence - Performs selected clinical interventions under limited supervision - including catheterization - injections - and suctioning - in alignment with scope-of-practice requirements - Provides patient instruction on health maintenance - disease prevention - and post-procedural care (e.g. - deep-breathing exercises - dietary guidance for diabetic patients) - Participates in basic patient and family education sessions to support understanding of care plans and promote positive health outcomes - Demonstrates knowledge of surgical equipment - instruments - and supplies - and sets up surgical materials while appropriately positioning and draping patients for procedures ranging from minor interventions to complex genitourinary surgeries - Utilizes understanding of surgical procedures and terminology to anticipate provider needs and pass instruments efficiently and safely - Communicates clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing to convey patient status and care needs to the interdisciplinary team - Applies knowledge of environmental safety - infection control - security - and patient privacy to protect patient rights and maintain a safe care environment - Cleans - disinfects - and maintains reusable medical equipment in accordance with Medical Center procedures - inspecting items for function and initiating repair or replacement processes when necessary - Completes all other duties as assigned to support the mission and operational needs of the Agency - Department - Facility - and/or Service Work Schedule: Various Work Schedules - and tour of duties available 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 Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 401K 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 #: FS# 688-25176-F #J-18808-Ljbffr