Career Center

This position is located in the Outpatient Department, Boise VA Medical Center, Boise, Idaho To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. Exceptions include: (1) 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. (2) VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401 (3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions.(3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C. 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. An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. Grade Determinations: GS-3. 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. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs below: 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. 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 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.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. Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. References: VA Handbook 5005 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: Light lifting, under 15 pounds, Light carrying, under 15 pounds, Pushing ( 1-2 hours), Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (4 hours), Standing (4 hours), Repeated bending (2 hours), Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Both eyes required, Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid permitted), Other (specify below), Mental & emotional stability required. ["The primary purpose of the LPN 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. Major duties will include, but will not be limited to: A. Accurately completed preventive health and chronic disease indexes of patients seen in outpatient clinics.\nB. Accurately administers injectable medication with no more than two valid failures or omissions and supervisory feedback during the rating period.\nC. Basic nursing care for adult and elderly patients is administered according to clinic guidelines, and plan of care under the direction of the supervising RN.\nD. Performs treatments and procedures which include application of antiseptic sterile and non-sterile techniques, i.e., bladder catherization insertion and removal, EKG, enemas, bladder scans, capillary blood glucose (CBG), venipuncture, suture and/or staple removal, and oximetry.\nE. Recognizes signs and symptoms reflecting changes in patient condition using knowledge of vital signs, CBG, and observational skills. Takes corrective action appropriately when potential or life-threatening changes occur in the patient condition.\nF. Maintains patient comfort and safety while in the clinical environment.\nG. Identifies patient educational needs and seeks assistance as appropriate and reassures patients and family members by explaining hospital and outpatient treatments and procedures.\nH. Effectively communicates with adult and elderly patients and families identifying and responding appropriately to patient's needs such as increased anxiety, procedural knowledge deficits, personal and privacy needs with no more than two valid failures or complaints during the rating period. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00AM-4:00PM.\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]