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

Duties: Demonstrates ability to provide quality care and effectively establish interpersonal relationships with patients, families/significant others, and professional personnel who provide patient care, and with members of other disciplines. Communicates effectively, establishing a positive supportive relationship. Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to recognize need for and to institute emergency measures, when indicated, in urgent or emergent patient care situations; seeks assistance of the RN and/or MD and assists in resuscitation interventions as directed. Independently responsible for the overall technical management of the Endoscopy procedure room; with knowledge of basic and specialized instruments and technical expertise in operating fiberoptic and video endoscopic equipment and computers for data management. Ability to perform adjustments and minor maintenance of endoscopic diagnostic equipment. Possesses extensive knowledge of a wide variety of complex endoscopy procedures, equipment, and possible complications. Can anticipate and prepare for the needs of the endoscopy team offering advanced knowledge of instruments for optimal outcomes. Demonstrates knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which includes preparing the patient, assisting in the examination, preparing, and handling specialized instruments and other specialized equipment used in the Endoscopy Clinic. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Prevents injury to self and others by complying with safe patient handling and moving procedures and using proper body mechanics and transfer techniques. Demonstrates safe work habits, identifies, and immediately reports any unsafe conditions. Maintains confidentiality of electronic, written, and/or verbal patient information in accordance with HIPPA regulations and medical center policies. Prevents protected information from being disclosed to unauthorized sources. Serves as integral part of the endoscopy team of physicians and nurses in the performance of endoscopic procedures (with and without endoscopic therapeutics), including Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, Colonoscopy, Enteroscopy, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, Endoscopic Ultrasound, and Esophageal dilation, Anoscopy, Exfoliative Cytology, Tattooing, Biopsies, Polypectomy, Endoscopic Mucosal Resection, Fine Needle Aspiration, Endoscopic Botox Injections, Sclerotherapy, Variceal Banding, Endoscopic Clipping, Endoscopic Hemostatic treatment and Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy placement. Ability to position patients for examination and knowledge of common alternate positions for patients with common physical disabilities. Skill to apply such knowledge to perform routine diagnostic or treatment procedures and/or to assist as a team member during procedures. All other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: M-F; Day shift, 9 hour tour Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. Education: Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. (1) 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.(2) VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions.(3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. 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 Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. Preferred Experience: GS-6 (a)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. (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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. References: VA Handbook 5005/3 Part II Appendix G13 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 and local LPN/LVN physical standards. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7.

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 WG Bill Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center 1601 Brenner Avenue Salisbury, NC 28144 US
• Name: Anne Stone
• Phone: 980-844-2537
• Email: [email protected]