This position is for a Practical Nurse servicing the Primary Care Service with the VA Providence Healthcare System providing Direct Patient Care to our Veteran population within the scope of their competencies. This position is considered to be at the full performance level. The position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

Duties

The Practical Nurse is held accountable for delivering direct patient care to adult through geriatric aged patients. They are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. Duties include, but are not limited to: Serves as an active member of the healthcare team with professional and supportive personnel. Attends meeting with the inter-disciplinary treatment team and contributes to the development and changes in the comprehensive treatment plans. Demonstrates the ability to vary the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the knowledge of the patient's condition. Assumes the responsibility for patients, in accordance with TJC Standards and recommendations, with the RN ultimately responsible. Identifies environmental hazards and initiates appropriate intervention. Adheres to safety regulations and infection control practices as outlined in the policy and procedure manuals. Uses proper body mechanics. Maintains a clean and safe environment. Works cooperatively and courteously with all team members. Provides patients and their families with respectful non- judgmental and confidential care. Respects and supports all established policies and interprets them to staff, patients, visitors and other team members. Demonstrates the ability to resolve conflict and to promote harmonious relationships Collects data and collaborates in the assessment of the health status of a patient. Implements aspects of the plan of care as delegated. Participates in health screening, clinical reminders, telephone calls and treatments as assigned. Participates in the evaluation of patient responses to interventions. Recognizes, reports and records promptly change in physical condition and behavior of patients. Completes routine documentation of results of care and treatment according to policy, guidelines, instructions/templates utilizing the electronic record and information network. Uses proper channels to resolve ethical issues. Differentiates between emergent and non-emergent conditions. Reports promptly and accurately records critical/emergency situations. Ability to draw, centrifuge and package lab samples when indicated. Work Schedule: Full-time Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F05311 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. Current and former 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 LIUNA Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by a special rate. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.

Requirements

Qualifications

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.Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. Exceptions include: 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. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-6: Completion of one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent. Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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 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. Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education. 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. 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. Establishes 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 seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3, PART II, APPENDIX G13. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/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 flexible and sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete Employee Health requirements.

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 Providence Healthcare System 830 Chalkstone Avenue Providence, RI 02908 US
• Name: Hannah Farrar
• Phone: 401-273-7100 X13489
• Email: [email protected]