The Licensed Practical Nurse GS/7 functions as a member of the health care team by demonstrating an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing care assignments. The GS-7 LPN is responsible for goals and interventions that promote learners in attaining maximum functional potential.

Duties

The LPN is responsible for the administration and managing the Department of Veterans Healthcare Administration's Resuscitation Education Initiative (REdi) Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ALS) Programs in accordance with American Heart Association (AHA) and REdi guidelines within the James E. Van Zandt VAMC. Duties include but are not limited to: Possesses the knowledge and skills to manage the Department of Veterans Healthcare Administration's Resuscitation Education Initiative (REdi) BLS and ALS Programs. This knowledge base includes successful completion of AHA BLS and ALS formal instructor programs and demonstrated instruction techniques as well as current certifications. Serves as the facility REdI Resuscitation Training Program Director for the BLS and ALS training programs. Has knowledge of AHA BLS and ALS program requirements for individual certification and is familiar with the REDi e-learning platforms and associated blended learning curriculums. Is familiar with adult learning principles and has developed and planned training programs associated with AHA BLS, ALS and First Aid core content. He/she has experience in teaching/training in a classroom environment as well as individualized learning. Prepares and administers an education plan to meet the BLS, ALS and First Aid training requirements of the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center, in accordance with national and local policy and requirements. He/She must be able to organize and manage learner needs, requirements, training schedules, and associated administrative tracking/monitoring to meet REDi program requirements. f Identifies areas that need improvement, potential problems, and unit trends in collaboration with local and national key stakeholders to ensure compliance and requirements are met at the national and local level. Demonstrates the ability to solve complex equipment problems and failures and has knowledge and ability to collaborate with local and national contacts to order, procure, and secure resources or appropriate assistance. Manages all resuscitation training equipment for the medical center and CBOCs and enters requests for equipment repair and replacement as needed. Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative by contributing to the overall employee education program and improving employee learning through active participation on committees and workgroups. Promotes and demonstrates resuscitation concepts in the Medical Center. Works in collaboration with all clinical employees, Service Chiefs, Nurse Managers and Senior Leadership. Reports directly to the Chief of Education on all BLS/ALS/First Aid programs. Accurately administers the Redi BLS/ALS/First Aid Programs and reports training requirements to local and national levels to ensure that training compliance is adhered to according to local policy. Serves as Education Service Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) program consultant for Education Service and manages all PMDB facility instructors and PMDB course schedules. The incumbent manages PMDB learning content, course schedules, participant registration, course instruction and course completion data management (i.e. TMS completions and reports). Serves as an Education Service TMS Learning Manager, providing TMS support and guidance to the James E. Van Zandt Medical Center. Prepares reports, as required, for the facility to respond to medical center suspense's', tracks compliance with National, VISN, and local mandatory training and links education curriculum with medical center mission and strategic directives. Provides technical support to all James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center employees to provide continuity of TMS programing. Provides technical support to the facility Simulation Center. The responsibilities include but not limited to working closely with the Simulation Coordinator the develop and provide simulation training events and work with all departments to schedule, monitor, and assist in all simulation training requests from the VA and non-VA sources such as other government agencies, colleges, and universities; and maintaining simulation equipment and supplies; communication information of what is available with all leaders, managers, supervisors; and instruct facility staff regarding access and use of all simulation equipment. Performs other duties as assigned. Executes simulation training and learning activities by operating simulation control room and equipment, monitors safety of participants, troubleshoots equipment, and participates in scenarios. Work Schedule: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. M-F Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. 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. Exceptions:(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, the candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.GS-7: The GS-7 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. Experience: Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. Demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities: Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans. Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations. Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels. Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate. Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision. Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice. 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. Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff. Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. References: VA Handbook 5005/3 Part II Appendix G13 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients/residents and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients/residents and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or invasive procedures. 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, and able to shift priorities based on patient/resident needs.


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 James E Van Zandt VA Medical Center 2907 Pleasant Valley Boulevard Altoona, PA 16602 US
• Name: Esperanza Obinyan
• Email: [email protected]