Practical Nurse

Summary

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. Program 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.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
• 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
• 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 98-60 - 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
• Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• See paragraph 4 - section C
• 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
• 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 and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determination: 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
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The LPN must be able to travel and drive to outlying CBOCs or outreach activities when necessary
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures - including the ability to wear an N-95 respirator
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• 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)
• The incumbent must be able to perform all activities for the position without restriction
• This will include work on expanded tours of duty - weekends - and the ability to push supply - medication - and telehealth carts
• The LPN 6 must be able to utilize written and verbal communication skills proficiently when communicating with the supervisor and other staff members
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.

Duties

• Thank you for your interest in the HSV Specialty Care Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) positions
• The positions are advanced level PACT LPNs in the Primary Care Service located at Huntsville Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) within the Birmingham VA Health Care System (BVAHCS)
• The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) functions as a member of the health care team by demonstrating an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for self-direction in carrying out complex practical nursing care assignments
• Duties include: Demonstrate ability to enter/review orders and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patient's condition - to use judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines - to accurately report and record significant patient information
• Provides direct nursing care to adult and geriatric patients with complex problems according to nursing standards and Medical Center policy and procedure
• This includes - but is not limited to: Checks patients into clinic - interviews patients and/or significant other and documents intake data per policy
• Provides high quality nursing care using traditional and non-traditional modalities - including triage prior to provider face to face visits - nurse health maintenance visits - telephone triage - secure messaging - post hospital discharges - etc
• Performs clinical pertinence reviews to ensure compliance with nursing practice standards related to nursing clinical reminders thoroughly and accurately per due dates and clinical appropriateness
• Demonstrates knowledge - skill - and ability to promptly recognize and effectively intervene in potentially urgent or emergent situations including hypo/hyperglycemia - acute shortness of breath - acute chest pain - seizures - stroke symptoms - mental health issues - etc
• Prepares - administers and documents medications and immunization as directed without error that may cause harm to patients
• Demonstrates advance knowledge and skill in preparation - administration - and documentation of commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - and intramuscular medications
• Assesses records and reports vitals signs - neurological signs - weight - and blood glucose levels
• Appropriately triages and prioritizes patient needs as routine - urgent or emergent in the clinic setting and modifies patient care/treatment as needed
• Serves as a resource for complex/specialized procedures (i.e
• non-complex suture removal - non-complex wound care - blood draws and clinic specific procedures - such as ear irrigation) Performs venipuncture for blood draws - prepares specimens for transport and processing - transcribes orders - accessions labels - etc
• Teach patients and families the principles of health - self-care and treatments related to wellness and health promotion
• Follows all safety policies and procedures including using good body mechanics and wearing personal protective equipment as needed
• Communicates calmly - courteously - and professionally with all patients - personnel - and visitors while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations and Medical Center policies
• Initiate consults per PACT and/or Specialty Expanded scope of practice
• Work Schedule: Full-Time
• Monday -Friday
• 8:00am-4:30pm or 7:00am -3:30pm
• If facility needs require employee may have to work four 8 hour shifts & one 4 hour shift during the week with 4 hours on Saturdays during Saturday clinic hours
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [email protected] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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 #: Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Bargaining Unit: AFGE Bus Code: 1272

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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.

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