PLEASE READ THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE BEGINNING THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO ENSURE YOU SUBMIT ALL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. This Job Opportunity Announcement will be used to fill a Licensed Practical Nurse, GS-0620 position in Nursing, Ambulatory Care Service at the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System at the Jack C. Montgomery Muskogee VA Medical Center.

Duties

The Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN), is a member of the healthcare team who demonstrates knowledge & ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. The LPN/LVN provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, & /or prescribed treatment regimens. The LPN/LVN performs a variety of nursing skills specific to the clinical needs of patients on the assigned work unit & under the supervision of a registered nurse in a variety of inpatient & outpatient locations. This position for GS-03 is entry level. GS-04 is developmental. GS-05 is intermittent. GS-06 is full performance. GS 3 duties: Performs a variety of nursing skills specific to the clinical needs of patients in the assigned work area under the supervisor of a RN. Oversees a full range of nursing care to patients with complex care needs utilizing the nursing process based on the American Nursing Association (ANA) Standards of Nursing Practice. Uses equipment correctly & accurately reports abnormal findings. Serves a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team & participates in huddles. Documentation & assignments are technically informative, complete, accurate, consistent, concise, & completed timely. Uses the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) & the Bar-Coded Medication Administration (BCMA) software per policy. Ensures the physician and/or appropriate staff are notified of emergent events involving patients & staff. Safeguards patient privacy & maintains confidentiality of all electronic & printed patient information according to Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines, the Privacy Act, as stated in Medical Center Memorandums, Handbook, and/or VA Directives. Ensures Congested Heart Failure (CHF) diagnosis patients are receiving appropriate care utilizing appropriate teaching & documentation using the CHF Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) Template. Collaborates with non-VA community partners for appropriate needed care & follow-up. Practices safe body mechanics uses mechanical devices, and/or requests help when needed in moving, lifting, or turning patients to prevent injury to patient, self or others. Recognizes changes in the patient's condition, behavior & /or comfort. Reports observations & interventions to the RN or PCP & records observations & interventions in the electronic medical record. Takes & records vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respirations, & pulse oximetry) including pain level. Reports abnormal vital signs & pain level immediately to RN or PCP. Complies with established policies & procedures in the preparation of, administration of & documentation of medications. Recognizes side effects of medications; reports observations to the RN or PCP immediately. Demonstrates professional behavior & good communication skills that enhance working effectively with others. Plans & conducts education in services & programs for Nurses, Physicians, & other health care professionals on issues related to health care as needed. Other duties as assigned. GS 4 duties: Performs all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, & to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedures, & techniques. Provides education to patient, family members, & staff. Other duties as assigned. GS 5 duties: All of GS 3 & 4 duties. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of more complex practice or procedures maybe subject to closer higher-level review. Demonstrated knowledge & ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical & /or behavioral problems. Works with the RN and/or MD/DO/NP to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNS/LVNS & /or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Other duties as assigned. GS 6 duties: All of GS 3, 4, & 5 duties. The GS 6 is the full performance level for the LPN/LVN. Performs all duties expected of employees at the GS-5 grade level for 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. Is technically proficient in initiating, performing & completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 623-53644-A, 623-53645-A, 623-53646-A, 623-53647-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. LPN/LVNs appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken & written English. Education. Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency &/or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission NLNAC at the time the program was completed by 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. An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. Grade Determinations: GS-3 None beyond basic requirements. GS-4 Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR Graduation from an approved school & 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 & sterile techniques & 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. AND Demonstrates knowledge & ability to provide full range of practical nursing care to patients w/ a variety of physical &/or behavioral problems. Works w/ RN &/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs &/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 &/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, &/or prescribed treatment regimes. Demonstrates ability to serve as a responsible member of nursing team & interact in an appropriate manner w/ patients, family members, professional & supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice. Knowledge & skill sufficient to prepare, administer, & appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, &/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies & procedures. Observation & documentation will include patient's response to medication administered & the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO. Knowledge & ability to recognize the need for & to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of RN or MD/DO, & assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac &/or pulmonary arrest. Recognizes & appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, & supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. GS-6 Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying specialized experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. AND 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 & sequence of procedures and treatments; & accurately recognize, report & record relevant patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a RN or a MD/DO, for appropriateness & conformity w/ 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, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, & age-related factors. Prepares & administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular &/or intravenous) & performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical &/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 &/or MD/DO, & initiates appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Knowledge & understanding of human behavior, patient motivations & reactions to situations, & ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively w/ patients, family members, & staff. Establishes constructive relationships with 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 w/ patients, family members, & other internal/external customers. Knowledge & skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests & specialized practices or procedures, which include preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and 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 and skills, sharing new knowledge gained w/ other staff to improve & advance nursing practice. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13. The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of a GS-3 to a GS-6. Physical Requirements Possess visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, & manual dexterity Be mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs Be able to walk, stand, stoop, sit, bend, pull, & push for potentially long periods of time Transfer patients & objects Use mechanical inpatient lifts to preserve patient & staff safety May be exposed to infected patients & contaminated materials & may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or perform operative/invasive procedures Occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or other required testing, or inoculations which may change over time, as a condition of employment May be required to drive &/or ride in GSA-vehicles Work requires long periods of regular & recurring standing & walking w/ regular & recurring lifting & positioning of patients Work in performed in a hospital ward or clinic requires following normal safety precautions Must be able to pass & maintain BLS certification

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Transcripts must include your name, the school's entire name, can be unofficial transcripts, must have the name of the course, date course taken, grade received for the course, amount of credits earned for the course, date degree conferred, (if applicable), (name of degree received, (if applicable).

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 Jack C Montgomery VA Medical Center 1011 Honor Heights Drive Muskogee, OK 74401 US
• Name: Joshua Vang
• Phone: 303-202-8455
• Email: [email protected]