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. 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.

Duties

The LPN works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery mode. Primary responsibilities are patient and clinic flow, efficiency of the clinic, customer service, and teamwork. The LPN will develop and maintain effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary team, VA medical centers, and other agencies. Other assignments include: Check vitals. Review and process alerts appropriately. Administer medication. Participate in meetings to manage and plan patient care. Adjust the flow and sequence of work. Work with the team to reinforce the plan of care and self-help solutions. Monitor pre-appointment requirements to assure readiness for patient visit and procedures. Participate and provide input in problem solving on operational issues or procedures in team meetings. Participate in and independently follow up on team huddles by sharing information and collaborating with the medical team to assure continuity of care. Evaluate patient information and clinic schedule lists to determine whether patient is vested. Educate providers about shared patients and bring to the attention of the provider. The duties listed are at the GS-6 level, developmental grades will differ in complexity and level of supervision: Communication Effectively expresses information to multiple audiences through clear, convincing oral and written communication. Actively listen to others and demonstrate understanding of their comments and questions. Demonstrate logical thinking when describing facts and concepts, and shape communications to meet the needs of Veterans and their families. Organizational Awareness Know and carry out the organizations mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operate effectively. Understand VA programs and educate peers, caretakers, Veterans, and their families. Follow VA policies, procedures, rules, and regulations at all times. Customer Service Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of human behavior and patient motivation. Establish rapport with individual patients and families to elicit feelings and attitudes toward their health and well-being. Promote patient trust by accurately documenting messages and routing them appropriately. Recognize the importance of teamwork and cooperation and voluntarily help other teams during staffing short-falls. Attend monthly meetings as an active participant. Interpersonal Skills Able to adapt to frequent changes within the environment and strive to work towards self improvement by learning and asking questions. Able to accept constructive criticism and utilize it as a learning opportunity. Be dependable and accomplish work and tasks in a timely manner. Work together as a team with other peers. Possess a positive attitude when working with peers, staff, Veterans, and the Veteran's family. Patient Care Demonstrate knowledge and the ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patient's condition. With minimal supervision, plan and carry out assignments following VHA directives and local Numbered Memoranda. Provide appropriate patient and family education regarding disease condition, procedures, tests, and health maintenance. Observe and appropriately respond to subtle changes in patient behavior by providing emotional or physical support and intervention to prevent a problem. Use the 6 Rights of Medication Administration, including the use of two patient identifiers. Participate in Medication Reconciliation by reviewing with patient and care giver medication list, annotate changes on the list for PCP's review, enter non-VA meds in CPRS. Provide ambulatory nursing care to patients with acute and chronic healthcare needs, including responding to triages as appropriate. Respond to medical emergencies such as "medical urgencies" and nursing alerts as appropriate. Education and Training Update personal knowledge regarding current trends in Primary Care through continuing education courses, annual mandatory training, and in-service programs. Serve as preceptor or mentor for newly assigned health technicians, LPNs, and interns. Employee can have no more than two documented incidents of unacceptable performance impacting education and training of self and others per performance period. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact the VISN 20 EDRP Coordinators @ [email protected]. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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. 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 DETERMININATION. In addition to the basic requirements, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. GS-3.None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g., medication administration); however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher-level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved. GS-4.Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN. OR (b) Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) 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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5. (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. (b) Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes. (c) 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. (d) 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. Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO. (e) 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. (f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. (g) Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review. GS-6. (a) Completion of at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent. (b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. (f) 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. (g) 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. (h) 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. (i) 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. (j) 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, 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: The work requires heavy lifting (over 45 pounds); moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; kneeling; repeated bending; both legs required; the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception; the ability to distinguish basic colors; the ability to distinguish shades of colors; and hearing (aid may be permitted). There may be exposure to excessive noise, solvents, and electrical energy. Must be able to work closely with others.

Education

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). If selected for this position, you are encouraged to apply for EDRP within four (4) months of appointment and must meet specific individual eligibility criteria in accordance with VHA Policy 1021. Final award amount and program start date is determined after review of a complete EDRP application, supporting documentation, and final approval by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office. Please contact the EDRP Coordinators @ [email protected]

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.

Contacts

• Address Anchorage VA Medical Center 1201 North Muldoon Road Anchorage, AK 99504 US
• Name: Joe Julkowski
• Phone: 509-434-7382
• Email: [email protected]