Job opening: Practical Nurse
Salary: $41 995 - 65 643 per year
Published at: Oct 06 2023
Employment Type: Full-time
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 include but are not limited to:
Provide a limited range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.
Collect data relevant to patient's learning needs, learning preference and readiness to learn.
Assist in monitoring for any evidence of abuse/neglect and demonstrates knowledge of the abuse reporting process.
Implement interventions to maintain skin integrity and prevent skin breakdown.
Maintain safe and therapeutic environment by providing one-on-one observation for behavioral health patients as directed by the Provider.
Encourage patient to verbalize concerns and fears regarding end-of-life issues and losses.
Assist in monitoring for any evidence of abuse/neglect and demonstrates knowledge of the abuse reporting process.
Adapt the environment to promote comfort and maximal functioning, self-care and independence.
Maintain safe and therapeutic environment by providing one-on-one observation for behavioral health patients as directed by the Provider.
Administer prescribed therapies using appropriate judgment and in accordance with medical center and Ambulatory Care policies and procedures:
a) Provides care to patients with various prosthetic devices
b) Perform phlebotomy procedures
c) Perform medication reconciliation
d) Bladder scan-pre and post void residuals
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm with occasional coverage until 6:00 pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Off-tours (3:30 pm - 12:00 midnight and 11:30 pm - 8:00 am) and weekends depending on the needs of the service and organization.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 586-00393-F
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
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. U.S. Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
English Language Proficiency. LPNs/LVNs appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] spoken and written English.
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 NLNAC, 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.
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-3: None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below:
Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or
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
Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent and meeting all of the following:
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.
Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice.
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 approved local facility policies and procedures.
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.
Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
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.
GS-6: Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the following requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN.
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.
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.
Prepare and administer 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.
Establish 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.
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 after the procedure. Serve 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.
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:
Approximately 4 - 5 years of clinical experience in a Hospital or Ambulatory Care Setting.
2 - 3 years of experience in an Outpatient clinical setting.
References: VA Handbook 5005/3 Part II Appendix G13 April 13, 2003
The full performance level of this position is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-3-GS-6.
Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.
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 GV Sonny Montgomery VAMC
1500 East Woodrow Wilson Drive
Jackson, MS 39216
US
- Name: Lindsay Storm
- Phone: 0000000000
- Email: [email protected]
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