Career Center

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. 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 (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. ~OR~ 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. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts showing completion of courses and conferred date. 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. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your current, valid, and unrestricted LPN/LVN License. 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. 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 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, Skills, and Abilities. (a) 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. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. (f) Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. 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, Skills, and Abilities. (a) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. (f) 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. (g) 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. (h) 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. (i) 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 Dated: April 10, 2013 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/carrying (44 lbs. and over), Straight pulling/pushing (6 hrs.), Reaching above shoulders, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking, standing (6 hrs.), Hearing (aid permitted) ["~INCENTIVES MAY BE AUTHORIZED TO HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATE~ SUMMARY: The Community Living Center provides inpatient Veteran/resident care for Veterans with acute and chronic health conditions with diverse culture and religious/gender orientation. This Licensed Practical Nurse position serves Veterans as a Health and Wellness Coach. The Health and Wellness Coach works closely with Veterans, family members, clinicians, to assist the Veteran in achieving their personal goals, to promote healthy lifestyle changes and to foster overall health and well-being. S/he will champion patient-centered care principles and strategies to empower Veterans to make choices that will optimize health and well-being. The duties and responsibilities of the LPN (Health and Wellness Coach) include but are not limited to: LPN (Health and Wellness Coach), GS-3, (Entry Level): The LPN GS-3 is an entry position and works under direct supervision of a Registered Nurse. Written assignments with supplemental verbal instructions are given by the RN. Work performance is observed and regularly evaluated by the RN for purposes of competency validation. The LPN seeks guidance from the RN when difficulty is encountered with the assignment. Nursing Care: The LPN GS-3 has basic knowledge to provide a range of Licensed Nursing Care to residents, and operate in accordance with all established policies, procedures and techniques. He/she observes and provides care for residents / Veterans through the implementation of assigned interventions. These interventions are targeted toward maximizing Veterans'/residents' self-care independence with-in the scope of practice. (a) The LPN GS-3 is knowledgeable of the risk of elder abuse and recognizes the heightened standards in operation on the Community Living Center, observes for signs and symptoms, and reports immediately to the charge nurse if there are reasons or evidence of abuse. (b) The LPN GS-3 is accountable to learn and adhere to external-reviewer standards (Joint Commission, Long Term Care Institute), policies, procedures, standards of care, standards of practice, resident centered care guidelines, and cultural transformation. (c) The LPN GS-3 always remains current with maintaining required licensing, required education, and required skills (BLS) and competencies. LPN (Health and Wellness Coach), GS-4 (Developmental Level I): (a) The LPN GS-4 is knowledgeable of the risk of elder abuse and recognizes the heightened standards in operation on the Community Living Center, observes for signs and symptoms, and reports immediately to the charge nurse if there are reasons or evidence of abuse. (b) The LPN GS-4 is accountable to adherence to external-reviewer standards (Joint Commission, Long Term Care Institute), policies, procedures, standards of care, standards of practice, resident centered care guidelines, and cultural transformation. (c) The LPN GSâž4 always remains current with maintaining required licensing, required education, and required skills (BLS) and competencies. LPN (Health and Wellness Coach), GS-5 (Developmental Level II): Nursing Care: (a) The LPN GS-5 is knowledgeable of the risk of elder abuse and recognizes the heightened standards in operation on the Community Living Center, observes for signs and symptoms, and reports immediately to the charge nurse if there are reasons or evidence of abuse. (b) The LPN GS-5 is accountable to adherence to external-reviewer standards (Joint Commission, Long Term Care Institute), policies, procedures, standards of care, standards of practice, resident centered care guidelines, and cultural transformation. (c) always remains current with maintaining required licensing, required education, and required skills (BLS) and competencies. LPN (Health and Wellness Coach), GS-6 (Full Performance Level): (a) Provides Health and Wellness Coaching to patients in community living center. (b) Leads Mind-Body Skills groups, workshops and individual sessions for patients and staff to promote physical and emotional wellness, decrease burn-out and improve morale, build community across disciplines and train staff in self- stress reduction techniques for use among themselves and with their patients and colleagues. (c) Provides Health and Wellness Coaching and Mind-Body Skills Training though various VHA approved methods that meets the patient need and preference, including telephonic, tele-video, electronic, in-person individual and group settings. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri: 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Licensed Practical Nurse, GS-0620-3/4/5/6; FS: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Stacy.Hermann@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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