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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. 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. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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 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. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. 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. 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-3. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4. Experience: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN. OR (b) 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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5 (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. (b) 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 /Health Technicians 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.(c) Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with patients, family members, professional and [other] supportive personnel [involved in the delivery of] patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice. (d) 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. (e) 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. (f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. (g) 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-6 (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. (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 or physician 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. 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: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over); straight pulling (6hours); pushing (2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; Walking (6 hours); standing (2 hours); repeated bending (6 hours); both legs required; both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted) Visual Acuity 20/30 corrected Environmental Factors: Working with hands in water; working closely with others ["The LPN provides practical nursing care to Veteran patients within the Endocrinology Service. Patients are treated in an outpatient clinic, located on the Seattle and American Lake Campuses of VA Puget Sound. The endocrine department treats patients that may have a combination of acute or chronic health conditions, diabetes, thyroid abnormalities, weight management and gender affirmation needs. Nursing Care: Knowledgeable of elder abuse, observes for subtle signs and symptoms, and reports immediately to the charge nurse if there are reasons or evidence of abuse. Role models and is accountable to adherence to external reviewer standards, policies, procedures, standards of care, standards of practice, patient centered care guidelines, and cultural transformation. Seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Remains current with maintaining required licensing, required education, and required skills and competencies. Role-models, responds to, and delivers care to Veterans in a respectful, non-judgmental manner and in accordance with the Veteran's care plan. Maintains Veteran privacy in all manners; written or spoken communication or documents, protecting passwords, keeping required education current and intervening appropriately if Veteran information is left exposed. Maintains appropriate boundaries in the nurse/Veteran relationship by not obtaining personal gain at Veterans' expense, and refrain from inappropriate involvement in the Veterans' personal relationships. Demonstrates knowledge and skill 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. Completes tasks for clinic procedures as directed by the RN. Contributes to the RN plan of care or assessment data. Collects Veteran data including observation of Veteran status and offers information for the plan of care. Recognizes subtle deviations from normal and/or changes in the Veteran's condition or response to nursing care. Reports changes in Veteran's condition or response to nursing care to the RN or Licensed Independent Practitioner. Accurately documents Veteran information. Team member and contributes in Veteran care planning activities. Performs aspects of Veteran education. Provides care to Veterans appropriate to their cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation. Organizes/prioritizes routine Veteran care activities and promoting maximizing the Veteran independence and comfort. Orients/trains less experienced LPNs and/or Nursing Assistants in relation to acceptable standards of practice. Prepares/administers prescribed medications and perform these 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. Monitors and reports untoward skin conditions and records appropriate Braden scale score. Performs actions targeted to the maintenance and/or restoration of skin integrity. Performs wound care. Administers respiratory therapies, to include incentive spirometry and oxygen. Performs the following tasks: Tracheostomy care, performs oral/pharyngeal suctioning, manages and monitors. gastric/intestinal drainage and feeding tubes. Manages, applies and monitors pneumatic sequential compression devices, delivers ostomy care, utilizes Bladder Volume instrument appropriately, performing neuro sign checks as assigned, and implementing seizure precautions. Assigned and/or contributes to Quality Assurance as directed by the Nurse Manager. Participates in unit in services or educational offering to maintain competency and update practice skills. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Please contact the VISN 20 EDRP Coordinator Stacy Hermann @ V20CompensationTeam@va.gov Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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