This Licensed Practical Nurse position is within the Nursing Service at the Bedford VA Healthcare System, located in Bedford, Massachusetts. It is full time at 40 hours per week. This position is listed on the annual determination of staffing shortages and Veterans Preference does not apply to this recruitment. Veterans are encouraged to apply and will receive full consideration.

Duties

The Practical Nurse is under the direct supervision of the RN, MD, DO, NP or PA and is held accountable for delivering direct patient care to adult through geriatric aged patients. He/She recognizes the age related needs and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate to that age group. He/She considers the cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the patients, demonstrates competence and correctly provides appropriate care for that age group or groups.Incumbent will perform other duties as assigned. This announcement will be used to fill multiple vacancies throughout the Bedford Facility. Practical Nurses will be expected to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. Based on assignment and grade, duties may vary and include but are not limited to: Function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub-acute or chronic states of illness. Observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. Demonstrate knowledge of basic health care provider skills. Follow standard precautions and other infection control protocols as needed. Provide 1:1 or Safety Sitter nursing care to Veterans/residents who may require restraints or special observation. Understand Veteran's/resident's rights and responsibilities. Provide comprehensive physical care to Veterans/residents. Motivating Veterans/residents towards optimal level of functioning. Accurate records care delivery and observations using established oral, written and computer communications according to documentation guidelines. Use of equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection, etc. Communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. May serve as a preceptor to new Licensed Practical Nurses by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting. Recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance, for example, recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc. Work Schedule: Multiple tours available; to be discussed at interview and determined on selection. Days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and off-tours may be required. (OR Shifts include but are not limited to Day shifts, Evenings, and Overnight. Most areas involve rotation to weekend and holidays. Specific tour hours to be discussed with hiring official). Travel: The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOCs as needed for coverage. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Available for well-qualified applicants Education Debt Reduction Program: 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. Learn more. Contact Amy Haley at [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Notifications: -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. -Interchange Agreements with Other Merit System: Employees who occupy medical or medical-related positions and were appointed under 38 U.S.C. 4701(1) or (3) [formerly 38 U.S.C. 4104 (1) and (3)] must be serving in a full-time position without time limit and have served continuously for at least one year in this other merit system to be eligible to convert to the Title 5 System. Some exceptions to this rule may apply if you have previously acquired tenure under a Title 5 appointment. -Current 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 NAGE Bargaining Unit position. -This position is covered by a special rate.

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: 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 applicant. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. 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 spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Grade Determinations: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to the next grade if they meet any of the criteria below: 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 (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.(d) 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, & to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. 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 approval 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 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. Physical Requirements: Extensive periods of sitting, standing and walking. Working with patients requires regular and recurring lifting, pushing, stooping, squatting, kneeling, crouching and similar activities. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.

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.

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.

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).

Contacts

• Address VA Bedford Healthcare System 200 Springs Road Bedford, MA 01730 US
• Name: Tami Sweet
• Phone: 916-213-9783
• Email: [email protected]