Job 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.

Job Description

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: Must be a 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. 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. 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. 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 Determinations: GS-6 Experience: Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. GS-6 Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA's): In addition to the experience listed above, candidates must possess ALL of the following KSA's: Technically proficient in initiating, performing & completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Knowledge & 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 & treatments; & to accurately recognize, report & record relevant patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness & conformity with established policies/procedures. Ability to observe, identify & respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care & patient/family education. In organizing and delivering care, the LPN/LVN recognizes & considers emotional, socio-economic, & age-related factors. Prepares & administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) & performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly & accurately documenting noted changes, & reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO. Knowledge & ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, & initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Knowledge & understanding of human behavior, patient motivations & reactions to situations, and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members, & other staff. Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients & their families to elicit feelings & attitudes, & to promote positive relationships, communication & socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient & family rights to privacy & dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge & understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers. Knowledge & 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 & handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, & monitoring the patient's condition before, during, & following the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, & 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 & skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve & advance nursing practice. Preferred Experience: Minimum of 2 years of recent LPN experience providing direct patient care in a clinically relevant setting; experience within the past 5 years preferred. Experience providing care to adult patients in a primary care, ambulatory care, or similar outpatient setting. Current experience performing outpatient clinical procedures, including immunizations/injections, medication administration, vital signs, point-of-care testing, bladder scanning/post-void residuals, ear irrigation, and specimen collection. Experience performing focus data collection, recognizing abnormal findings or changes in patient condition, and appropriately reporting or escalating concerns to the RN or provider. Knowledge and experience supporting patients with common chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, COPD, and other conditions commonly managed in primary care. Experience supporting preventive care, including immunizations, health maintenance, screenings, clinical reminders, and patient education. Ability to provide and reinforce patient education and established plans of care within the LPN scope of practice. Experience assisting with care coordination, including patient follow-up, referrals, appointments, and test related follow-up. Effective communication and collaboration with patients, RNs, providers, and other members of the healthcare team. Ability to organize and prioritize multiple patient care responsibilities in a busy outpatient environment. Experience accurately and timely documenting patient care, procedures, observations, and communications in an electronic health record (EHR). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.