Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse

Summary

This position is located within the Community Living Center (CLC) at the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) in Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC). The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran.

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 Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) - formerly known as 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: 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: No experience required beyond the basic requirements.GS-4: Six 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
• 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 such as: Working with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/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 appropriately with patients - family members - professional and supportive personnel involved in 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 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
• GS-6: 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 demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems such as: 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
• 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
• 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
• Preferred Experience: At least one year of recent LPN experience in long-term care or geriatric settings - such as a nursing home - is preferred
• Experience caring for patients with complex medical and psychosocial needs - including those with dementia or requiring palliative care - is highly desirable
• Proficiency in wound care and medication administration - as well as familiarity with electronic health records - is also preferred
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team are essential
• Preferred experience: Long Term Care Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Services.

Duties

• 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
• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to: Participates in the interdisciplinary team in the development - implementation - and evaluation of the patient's/resident's treatment plan
• Interacts with patients in groups in accordance with the patient's treatment plan
• Observes - identifies - and responds to the patient's needs for nursing - medication - and equipment assisted care and recognizes deviations from normal
• Uses practical nursing knowledge of human behavior - motivations - and reactions to situations in working with patients - family - and other staff members
• Demonstrates knowledge - skill - and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations
• Responsible for delivering patient/resident care in a variety of settings
• Utilizes a Veteran-Centered Care approach to gain an understanding of the Veterans needs and desires
• Member of the team and may collaborate with services internal and external to the VA to facilitate care transition to effectively meet the patient's/resident's needs
• The LPN performs health education and basic health coaching to promote patient-driven goal setting and patient/resident activation for self- care and self-management
• He/she advocates for patients/residents - is a team member who promotes his/her own professional growth - development - and practice
• The LPN maintains flexibility to manage additional duties as assigned
• Responsible for demonstrating the knowledge and practice of providing nursing care based on the four (4) performance standards/competencies - nursing care
• safety
• interpersonal communication
• and customer service
• Maintains confidentiality of electronic - written - and/or verbal information
• Performs - reports - and records assigned nursing care including - but not limited to policy orders - orders in suspense - protocols - completion of clinical reminders - appropriate consults and alerts as indicated
• Observes and provides care for patients/residents through the implementation of assigned interventions
• These interventions are targeted toward maximizing self-care management abilities
• Work Schedule: Rotation based on unit needs 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 View email address on click.appcast.io - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - 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 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 #:10855-F - 10856-F - 10857-F - & 10858-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized