Career Center

NOTE: End date extended to 10/21/2022. Applications expire after 3 months, to continue to be considered applications require updates. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT for Bruce W Carter DVAMC and surrounding CBOCs looking for Primary Care (PACT) Licensed Practical Nurses. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applicants will be 5-11-2022. Eligible applications received after this date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur until 10-21-2022. Basic Requirements: 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. 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. 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. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-03:None beyond the basic requirements. GS-04: 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-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. 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; 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. 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. 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. 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. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Grandfathering Provision qualifications 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). Preferred Experience: Working in fast paced, and ever changing environment. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13. 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 visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. Potential long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, use a keyboard, and perform CPR. Transferring patients/objects using appropriate assistive devices, push/pull a occupied gurney may be required. Exposure to infected patients/contaminated materials. Occasional exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual able to work effectively in stressful situations, shift priorities based on patient needs, and perform all activities of the position without restrictions. ["These position are located in multiple locations including:1201 Northwest 16th St., Miami, FL and surrounding CBOCs, Deerfield Beach, Pembroke Pines, Sunrise, Homestead, and Key Largo. The Licensed Practical Nurse engages in nursing care, which requires the knowledge and skills represented by licensure as an LPN. The LPN maintains acceptable standards of practice under the direction of a Registered Nurse. Assignments are limited to situations demanding an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills. The LPN serves as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team with an assigned patient load. Other duties include but are not limited to: Provides nursing care to patients in meeting personal hygiene needs such as bathing, lifting, turning and feeding; administers tube feeding via feeding pump and changes administration sets. Take vitals. Administer medication. Assists selected patients with rehabilitation such as range of motion, ambulation, positioning, and self-help activities of daily living; and bowel and bladder training programs. Enters information about the patient's condition, an assessment of the patient's condition and a plan of action to carry out nursing care. Measures and records vital signs, neuro checks, intake and output, weights; collects urine, stool, sputum and drainage specimens; measures and records PH from nasogastric tubes; measures and records urine specific gravity. Performs procedures such as application of external urinary catheters; routine Foley catheter care; irrigation of Foley catheters. Carries out respiratory treatments such as postural drainage, chest physiotherapy; sets up and initiates oxygen therapy, including nebulization treatments; performs oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal and tracheal suctioning, performs routine tracheostomy care, instructs patient in use of incentive spirometer; monitors and records observations of chest tubes and pleurovacs; assembles water-sealed chest drainage systems. Prepares and administers prescribed medications, including PRN medication orders, after carefully assessing the patient's condition; observe effectiveness and document observations in the clinical record. Administer vaccines, reads and records PPD's. Assist with monitoring the patient's condition before, during and following the procedure. Applies knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices of procedures. Which include preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examine, preparing and handing specialized instruments. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patients' condition from prescribed medications/treatments, while promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting deviation from normal to RN or Provider. Monitors and regulates the flow of intravenous fluids manually or via infusion pumps and reports observations to the registered nurse; observes IV site for infiltration and inflammation and reports to the Registered Nurse; changes peripheral IV and saline lock dressings; changes IV solution administration sets following established protocols; discontinues peripheral intravenous catheters when authorized by the Registered Nurse; monitors and adds maintenance IV fluids (as approved) via mini-bags, prepared by pharmacy, through an existing peripheral line/saline lock. Responds appropriately to emergency situations such as cardiopulmonary arrest; provides for environmental safety, security and patient privacy, checks the code cart except for the weekly defibrillator check (done by the RN). Assists physicians and nurses with patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures; accompanies patients off units for appointments as necessary. Observes patient's changing conditions and provides specialized care to patients who may be helpless, comatose, and/or critically ill, including the patient on a ventilator; uses judgment in adapting and varying procedures and/or approaches based on patient's current condition, and in accordance with appropriate nursing care and prescribed medical treatment, may direct non-professional nursing personnel of lower grade level. Participates in patient care planning conferences contributing to the identification of patient problems/needs; updates care plans and reflecting current patient status in collaboration with the Registered Nurse; provides report on assigned patients; participates and documents in providing patient/family education. Documents all patient observations and procedures performed on appropriate forms. Work Schedule: Monday -Friday; 08:00am - 16:30pm; including occasional weekends and holidays, may be required to meet the needs of the facility.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]