Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

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: 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 ACEN Website (formerly the NLNAC)
• 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.-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
• 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
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: GS-03: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-04: Six months of qualifying experience as LPN or LVN
• OR - Experience and Education: 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
• GS-05: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent and fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-4 LPN/LVN
• 1
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and /or prescribed treatment regimes
• 2
• 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
• 3
• Knowledge and skill 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
• 4
• 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
• 5
• 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-06: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN 1
• Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• 2
• 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
• 3
• 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
• 4
• 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
• 5
• 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
• 6
• 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
• 7
• Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships - communication and socialization skills
• 8
• 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
• 9
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• 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

Duties

• The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: To provide VA Video Connect (WC) - Clinical Video Technology (CVT) - or Telemedicine the LPN/LVN is responsible for maintaining knowledge of and skill in applying an intensive body of rules - procedures - and operations in telehealth related technologies and a variety of computer hardware/ software used in technology - data entry -retrieval - record maintenance - document - and report generation
• 1) preparing the clinical environment - which may include telecommunications equipment to be used for clinical examination and treatment
• 2) serve -within their of scope of practice - as a tele presenter for WC or Telemedicine in task such as establishing and maintaining video connection - making introductions between patients and providers and following the instructions of the clinician to facilitate an effective clinical encounter
• 3) taking measures to ensure patient care is delivered safely by following appropriate procedures for cleaning of clinical equipment and care of environment by following all safety guidelines - protocols - and procedures
• 4) completing standardized clinical questionnaires and templates within scope of training and applicable guidelines
• 5) arranging and completing test video calls with veterans in preparation of video calls
• and 6) ensuring information and resources are maintained for local and remote telehealth providers so they can effectively execute contingency and emergency plans
• The LPN/LVN is accountable for measurable - high-quality - timely and cost-effective results related to the PACT and other assigned Primary Care activities
• Incumbent determines objectives and sets priorities
• The LPN/LVN accepts responsibility for mistakes
• and complies with established control systems and rules (e.g
• proper use and handling of government equipment
• protection of confidential or personally identifiable information)
• Incumbent acts professionally by exhibiting VA's core values of Integrity - Commitment - Advocacy - Respect and Excellence (ICARE)
• The LPN/LVN reports any perceived violations of law or official wrongdoing (e.g. - fraud - abuse - waste - or abuse of authority and violations of VA core values (ICARE)
• The LVN/LPN/LVN provides excellent customer service by anticipating and meeting the needs of the Veterans and internal and external customers
• Incumbent delivers high quality clinical care - practices - and services - adjusting priorities as needed
• The LPN/LVN may be required to perform specimen collection of (urine - sputum - blood - or stool) ensuring to utilize proper labeling - packaging - and transport instructions from the Primary Care Community Based Clinics or assigned areas to the main facility laboratory
• Incumbent must utilize proper facility required patient identified methods and ensure patient confidentiality is maintained
• Incumbent access and complete specimen orders from the hospital computerized system - utilize centrifugation (id required) - and prepare specimen prior to laboratory testing
• Incumbent will exercise effective communication skills prior to - during - and after specimen collection - ensuring to review pertinent information with the patient
• Maintain specimen integrity by using aseptic techniques - following department procedures - and observing and adhering to personal protective equipment policies and guidelines
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:00am-5:30pm (Varying tours) Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact V20CompensationTeam@va.gov for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized