Duties

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to provide a variety of nursing care and practice which do not require full professional nurse education, but require skills represented by the licensing of practice and vocational nurses by a State, Territory, or the District of Columbia.

This position is in the Mental Health Unit of the facility where the positions are located.
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Responsibilities

Performs practical nursing measures with precision and efficiency, consistent with Medical Center Policy and procedure and within legal and ethical responsibilities of his/her licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Demonstrates working practices that include adherence to infection control standards and the safe use and operation of equipment. Seeks guidance from RN and/or provider regarding resolution of clinical issues.
Assists with non-VA care to include coordination of scheduling for services that cannot be provided within the VA Healthcare System.
Assists with the coordination as needed of VA and non-VA care to ensure high quality care is provided.
Reviews view alerts throughout the day and pursues completion by close of business daily.
Ability to acknowledge and report technical issues that may delay or impede productive work efforts.
Compliant with mandatory Medical Center TMS training as assigned.
Assists during emergent situations, initiates, and/ or assist with CPR, choking, fire emergencies, etc., and obtains equipment and supplies as requested by the RN or physician.
Administers medication accurately and promptly under the general supervision of a RN.
Demonstrates understanding of the effects and/or reactions caused by medications, treatments, and procedures. Records and reports these observations to RN.
Performs personal care, diagnostic support duties and treatments according to procedure under the direction of the RN in a timely manner.
Responds to patient's nursing needs, including physical comfort, and emotional needs and recognizing problems from the normal.
Strives to involves patients and family to participate in the provision of care throughout the continuum.
Participates and reinforces resources and referrals. Completes assignments in a timely manner with constructive utilization of remining time.

Work Schedule: 8 or 12 hour day shifts, with rotation to evening and night shifts as needed by the service. Holidays and weekends included.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not authorized.
PCS/Reimbursement: Not authorized.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
6

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

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).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements listed above, the following criteria must be met for each grade.

GS-3: No requirements beyond the above listed basic requirements.
GS-4: Six (6) months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or 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; or Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Qualifying experience includes: *Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems;
*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;
*Knowledge and skill sufficient 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;
*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;
*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-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-3 to GS-6.

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. Possibly exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials and may require donning protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. Occasional exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia or psychiatric disorders. Exposure to stressful situations regularly.

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.

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:

Resume - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed: Job title, Duties (be as detailed as possible)
Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
Salary or current/former governmental grade held (example - GS-7) Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.
Please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy.

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action - If you are applying as a current, permanent employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs or as a current, permanent Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your latest, computer-generated SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify your position, title, series, grade, step, and tenure (block 24, code 1 or 2). Temporary, term, or intermittent employees (block 24, code 0 or 3) are not considered in the area of consideration for this announcement. If you have previously held a higher grade and are applying based on that grade, you must provide a copy of the SF-50 showing you held the higher grade. IN ADDITION to your last or most recent SF-50 indicating proof of status, you are required to submit as many SF 50s as required to verify at least ONE FULL YEAR of experience at the next lowest grade level before the closing date of the announcement. (Please note the effective date of the SF-50s you submit; located in block 4 of the SF-50.) SF-50s which show you received an award are not accepted as they do not contain the required information. VA employees may obtain their SF-50s at https://eopf.opm.gov/va/

• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or

SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Copy of license - Must be current and show expiration date. If the issuing authority does not produce hard copy license, a screen shot of the license from the database is acceptable if it is legible and contains all required information. Listing the license on the VA Form 10-2850 or the resume is not acceptable verification of a license.

Transcript - A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. your application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however; you will be required to furnish official transcripts prior to appointment.

VA Form 10-2850c 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations - can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search . This form must be completed. Links to the form are not accepted.

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.