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

Provides a full range of care to patients' requiring complex treatments and care with remote supervision by the Registered Nurse. Functions as a preceptor for newly assigned LPN and Nursing Assistant staff. Plans and organizes assignments independently. Prioritizes care delivery, considering the patient's individual needs, condition, and the overall needs of the unit. Adapts nursing care to meet the needs of patients. Attends team conferences; suggest appropriate interventions to meet patient care needs. Recognizes emergency situations and acts appropriately to get assistance; initiates CPR. Provides patient/family education and reinforce education initiated by the Registered Nurse. Administers treatments based on plan of care with remote RN supervision. Complies with established policies and procedures in the preparation of, administration of and documentation of medications. Recognizes side effects of medications; reports observations to the Registered Nurse immediately. Proficient at using the BCMA system. Complies with established policy and procedure for inventory and administration of narcotics. Assists the Registered Nurse in checking emergency equipment. Administers and monitors infusion of IV medications and fluids (if IV certified). Records amount of fluids infused on Intake and Output record. Provides patient education concerning medications and reinforce education initiated by the Registered Nurse. Recognizes subtle changes in the patient's condition, behavior and/or comfort. Intervenes appropriately. Reports observations and interventions to the Registered Nurse. Records observations and interventions in the electronic medical record. Takes and records vital signs including pain level. Reports abnormal vital signs and pain level immediately to the Registered Nurse. Provides patient/family education initiated. Reports response to teaching to the Registered Nurse. Records teaching and response in the electronic medical record. Maintains a safe, clean, clutter free environment for patients, visitors, and co-workers. Corrects and reports safety hazards promptly to the Registered Nurse. Responds appropriately to fire and disaster drills. Utilizes Personal Protective Equipment appropriately. Verbalizes and demonstrates appropriate use of safety materials and apparel (i.e. MSDS, Isolation Equipment). Reports accidents, injuries, disease, or illness related to employment to the Registered Nurse. Reports and responds appropriately to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies to the Registered Nurse. Completes mandatory safety training. Work Schedule: Days, evenings, nights, alternate weekends and holidays. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53056-A, 53057-A, 53058-A, 53059-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized EDRP: May be authorized. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until December 31, 2023. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be August 30, 2023. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. *** Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred & 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. Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) http://www.nlnac.org (copy of transcripts required) - OR - 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. 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). 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 and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic Requirements, candidates must meet requirements for each grade level applied for as outlined below. GS-03: None beyond basic requirements. GS-04: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN. OR Graduation from an approved school and one year of experience 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. LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. GS-05: Requires at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. In addition the following criteria must be met: 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 with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel 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. 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. 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. 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: Requires at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN. In addition the following criteria must be met: 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 patient' conditions. Ability to observe, identify, and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education. Prepare and administer prescribed medication (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. Establish 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 seek out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Preferred Experience: 6 months to a year experience as an LPN or prior CNA experience. Medication administration as well as hospice/skilled/rehab setting experience. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13 VA Qualification Standards The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, & sitting. The position requires the ability to cover clinical nursing services and meet physical demands found in the patient care environment. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. Initiates Basic Life Support (BLS) in accordance with current BLS standards to include automatic defibrillation in life-threatening situations.

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 Western Colorado Health Care System 2121 North Avenue Grand Junction, CO 81501 US
• Name: Gina Hammer
• Phone: 970-263-2800
• Email: [email protected]