Duties

Summary

If you are a current, permanent VA employee, you should apply under job posting CBFF-10643120-20-SRC before the closing date of that particular posting (Wednesday, November 20, 2019).
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

This position is located in the Department of Veteran's Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Ft. Belvoir, VA. This CBOC is aligned under the Washington, DC VA Medical Center. The VA-Ft. Belvoir CBOC provides basic medical care, preventive care, and health education for eligible Veterans, including comprehensive women's health care. As a Licensed Practical Nurse, you will assist with nursing care and practice to deliver care to Veterans who visit the clinic. Your major duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Administering medications
• Performing patient care duties such as taking vital signs, taking samples and passing instruments
• Gathering and reporting patient information for nurses and the patient care plan
• Changing patient dressings
• Providing for activities of daily living (e.g. bathing, oral care, continence care, etc.)
• Performing interventions such as catheterization, injections and suctions
• Having direct basic contact with psychiatric patients, reassuring and encouraging patients to participate in activities within the care environment
• Cleaning and maintaining equipment in use in the area
• Cleaning and disinfecting reusable equipment after patient use
• Performing other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Full-Time, Generally Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm but additional shifts/days/times may be required to support agency, mission and patient care needs.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/20/2019.
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: 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 (NLNAC)/Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). NOTE: 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. (Transcripts/documentation required with your application). License/Registration: 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. (Copy of your license/registration is required with your application). 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).

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).

Preferred Experience: Prior outpatient experience preferred

Grade Determination--In addition to the basic requirements listed above, the following criteria must be met:
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. Qualifying experience includes:
*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.
*Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education.
*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.
*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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard, dated April 10, 2003.

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-6 to GS-6.

Physical Requirements: Work will require long periods of regular and recurring standing and walking (8 hours) with regular and recurring heavy lifting (35 lbs and over) and positioning of patients while maintaining balance. Must be able to bend, stoop, squat, kneel, move body and extremities quickly, push and pull equipment, carry equipment and supplies (heavy 35 lbs and over) without personal limitations or physical restrictions. Protracted periods of sitting with an assigned patient may be required. Physical endurance and physical tolerance is required for an 8 hour shift as assigned. These are essential functions of the position. The employee is alert to the possibility of patient assaultiveness and may need to protect herself/himself using non-abusive physical intervention techniques. The incumbent must have full range of motion of each joint. He/she must be able to grasp, maintain balance, and lower a patient safely to the floor unassisted while physically controlling a violent patient. They must have fine motor skills. Must be emotionally and mentally stable.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will recommend grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations (http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search)
• Proof of licensure/registration
• Resume
• Transcript

VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations is required with your application and can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search .

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• OF-306
• VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations (http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search)
• Proof of licensure/registration
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.