This position is for a Practical Nurse servicing located at the Hyannis CBOC and the New Bedford CBOC with the VA Providence Healthcare System providing Direct Patient Care to our Veteran population within the scope of their competencies. This position is considered to be at the full performance level. The position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Serves as an active member of the healthcare team with professional and supportive personnel. Attends meetings with the inter-disciplinary treatment team and contributes to the development and changes in the comprehensive treatment plans. As an RN-designated team leader, demonstrates ability to vary the order/sequence of assigned procedures based on the knowledge of the patient's condition. Assumes responsibility for a designated unit in accordance with JCAHO Standards and recommendations, with an RN ultimately responsible. Will review report of patient's condition and other pertinent data, using judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines. Considers physical, emotional and social factors in modifying nursing care plans. In a timely manner, observes, reports, and documents patient's condition and changes noted. Demonstrates ability to use knowledge of patient's condition and changes noted. Promotes patient participation in the therapeutic community with the goal of fostering self-reliance and independence. Provides assistance or complete physical care for patients by observing, identifying and responding to specific patient needs. Administers prescribed medications following standard medical center policies. Demonstrates practical knowledge of human behavior, motivations and reactions to situations in the provision of nursing care. Provides a safe environment and protects patients' rights. Demonstrates knowledge, skill and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations. Conducts group meetings on a regular/recurring basis to help patients share feelings, interact, and function in accordance with the patient's treatment plan. Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients to elicit feelings and attitudes/promote positive relationships, communications, and socialization skills. Administers more complex treatments such as complex wound care. Prepares patients for off/on unit complex diagnostic procedures. May assist in these procedures and provide support for patients having such procedures. Demonstrates ability to determine when changes in patient's conditions are significant enough to notify the immediate supervisor for assistance in decision making and/or determining nursing care. Demonstrates ability to make recommendations on changes in the comprehensive treatment plan based upon observations, analysis of patient's condition and response to the current plans. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F05003 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This position is in the Excepted Service. Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is a LIUNA Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by a special rate. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.

Requirements

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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-6: Completion of one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent. Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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.

Contacts

• Address VA Providence Healthcare System 830 Chalkstone Avenue Providence, RI 02908 US
• Name: Hannah Farrar
• Phone: 401-273-7100 X13489
• Email: [email protected]