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

This position is located at the Alvin C. York VA in long term care (8A) in Murfreesboro, TN. The incumbent will be assigned to Nursing Service and work under the general supervision of the Nurse Manager of the unit, and functions under the leadership of a registered nurse. The LPN performs progressively complex age-specific nursing care for adult and geriatric inpatients or outpatients with a variety of physical, mental, behavioral or psychosocial needs, which require increased judgment and independent action, according to assignment and training. Duties include but are not limited to: Assists with data collection for outpatients and new admissions Observes, reports and documents signs and symptoms of patient's general condition Bathing, showering, oral care, shaving, feeding, turning and positioning, and ambulating Collecting and labeling specimens, e.g. sputum, urine, stool Performing enterostomal care, perineal care, administering enemas and colostomy irrigation Providing bowel/bladder training, applying external urinary devices, performing bladder catherization Providing complex wound care management and treatments which may include Telederm procedures Providing for lifting, moving, transferring, and/or transporting patients Using patient lifting devices, pressure relief mattresses, electronic scales, feeding pumps and IV pumps Applying protective/supportive devices or restraints under the direction of the RN or medical provider Providing post-motem care Administering nasogastric tube feedings Recognizes and initiates emergency measures Patient teaching such as diabetic self care, suctioning and tracheostomy care, self-administration of medications etc. Performs such diagnostic procedures as TPR, B/P, pain screen, pulse oximetry, bladder, scanning, I&O, heights, weights, finger sticks, breathalyzer, and EKGs Transcribes doctor's orders Performs narcotic counts as per policy and immediately notifies the Charge RN of discrepancies Administers oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravenous medications. Administers immunizations independently and observes and reports patients response to medication Initiates emergency measures Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: 7:00am to 7:30pm or 7:00am to 3:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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 Pay Schedule: VA25

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: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part. 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. License: 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. An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. 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). 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). 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: GS-04:(a)6 months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN;OR(b)Graduation from an approved school, 1 year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, supervised medical, nursing, patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures; OR(c)Graduation from an approved school with 24 months duration.GS-5:(a)Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at GS-4 level or equivalent.(b)Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Works with the RN and MD/DO to appropriately train less experienced and Nursing Assistants, Health Technicians in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care. Provides effective education to patients, family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and prescribed treatment regimes.(c)Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel involved in the patient care.(d)Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous medications permitted by approved facility policies/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, assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and 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 a RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of complex practices/procedures are subject to higher-level review.GS-6(a)Completion of at least 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) proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.(c)Knowledge and ability to carry out assigned care based on the patients' conditions; use judgment in selecting appropriate orders and sequence of procedures; to accurately recognize, report, record relevant patient information. Completed work should need be general review by a registered nurse or physician for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures.(d) Ability to observe, identify, respond to the patient's needs, 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, age-related factors.(e)Prepares and administers prescribed medications and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from 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, 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. Preferred Experience: Long Term Care or Geriatric Care References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13, LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD. 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-04 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5005, Part III, Chapter 2, paragraph 7, and VA Handbook 5019, Occupational Health Services. All applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the duties of the position. Must be able to lift (30lbs or more); twisting and/or bending, standing and/or walking almost constantly during the course of the day.

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 Tennessee Valley HCS - Nashville 1310 24th Avenue South Nashville, TN 37212 US
• Name: Sean Shepherd
• Phone: 615-695-2251
• Email: [email protected]