The Rocky Mountain Region Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (RMRVAMC) Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders (SCI/D) Center provides comprehensive rehabilitative care for patients with spinal cord disorders. The goals of the program include understanding of altered body function with spinal cord injury/disorders and learning physical and social abilities to live a full, rich life. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. 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. 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-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. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a 6. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued standing, repetitive bend, kneeling, lifting, and other physical requirements to safely support patient's care needs and goals. The incumbent must be able to demonstrate nursing procedures requiring technical skills. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, requiring the shifting of priorities based on emerging and changing patient/ unit needs. ["VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: The incumbent performs a variety of supportive, nursing and medical tasks necessary to the care of patients during diagnostic and therapeutic outpatient visits and while inpatient at the Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders Center at RMRVAMC. The incumbent provides a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. The incumbent performs routine evaluation of patients by obtaining current symptoms and complaints, observing the patient's condition, behavior, and response to treatments and/or medications. The incumbent documents appropriate information in the patient record and reports significant deviations to the Registered Nurse (RN) and/or provider. Provides effective reinforcement of education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and/or prescribed treatment regimes. Recognizes the need for and institutes cardiopulmonary resuscitation measures or other medical emergencies when indicated in accordance with established medical center policy and procedure. Performs other assignments designated by the RN or clinic providers which are essential to patient care and appropriate to the incumbent's level of training. Serves as a member of the interdisciplinary team responsible for medication (PO, topical, and rectal) administration, neurogenic bladder management, neurogenic bowel management, and other clinical or rehab needs within scope of practice. The incumbent performs a variety of administrative and clerical tasks to include completion of memos, reports, meeting minutes, power point presentations, excel spread sheets, and filing. Supports patient's inpatient acute/subacute rehab goals, wound care, respite, or palliative care needs as delegated by the RN or clinical provider. The incumbent collaborates with SCI/D Interdisciplinary team members, communicate, time management and organize the work to meet patient care needs, ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, meetings and training sections. Independently performs coordinating duties related to the operation of the SCI/D inpatient unit such as appropriate stocking/maintenance of medical supplies. Maintains cleanliness and organization of inpatient hospital rooms to promote a therapeutic environment for healing. Work Schedule: 5:00am - 11:30pm, Variable Days, Monday - Friday, including weekends and holidays Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 554-58931-A"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
