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

Duties

Incumbent will be assigned to the Medical Specialty Clinic The primary purpose of the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, position customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. The LVN performs within this functional statement under close supervision of the Nurse Manager or designee. Assigned tasks require basic technical competence and skill. Major Duties as Assigned, but not limited to: CLINICAL PRACTICE 1. Performs and documents focused assessment and reports abnormal findings to the Charge Nurse, Nurse Manager and/or RN Team Leader. 2. As the Charge Nurse, the LVN within their scope of practice, effectively assigns, manages and directs other LVNs and Nurses' Aides in the delivery of patient/resident care. The LVN demonstrates the ability to assign patients/residents care needs and the capability of the staff to meet those needs. 3. Demonstrates a basic 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. 4. The LVN demonstrates technique in performing, reporting, and recording assigned nursing care including, but not limited to: 4.1. Administers oxygen therapy 4.2. Medication administration to include IV medication if certified 4.3. Completes clinical reminders with appropriate consults and alerts as indicated 4.4. Ensures medications/supplies are not expired and removed from inventory 4.5. Accurately performs delegated procedures and treatments 4.6. Assists with minor procedures, including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment, positioning patient, ensuring comfort and privacy. 4.7. EKG, lab draws 4.8. Data collection and documentation intervention of patient visit in applicable nursing note. 4.9. Based on the patient's goals, reinforces patient and family health education, to include self-management, prevention and wellness. 4.10. Assists in medication reconciliation. Notifies the provider of changes. 4.11. Measures, records vital signs and enters them in CPRS. Reports all significant deviations to the RN and/or health care provider immediately. 4.12. Applies skin tests and measures and documents results 4.13. Visual acuity tests 4.14. Closes encounters daily 4.15. Completes daily check of the AED. 4.16. Complete the Blood Glucose meter check daily, as applicable 5. Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication. Demonstrates proficiency in utilizing the Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) system to administer medication to individual or a group of patients safely and efficiently. 6. Identifies urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance and intervenes as directed when appropriate. Perform other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm; 7:30 am - 4:00 pm; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; 8:30 pm - 5:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: Licensed Vocational Nurse/PD00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Marketing Message Continued: It is one of the VA's largest integrated health care systems with facilities in Austin, Brownwood, Cedar Park, Palestine, Bryan-College Station and Waco. Texas has no State Income Tax. The Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS) is a Complexity Level 1A medical center facility with over 4,000 employees which serves 39 counties in Central Texas and consists of two hospitals located in Temple and Waco; one clinic in Austin; four community based outpatient clinics in Brownwood, Cedar Park, College Station, and Palestine; a community living center (CLC) situated at each of the Temple and Waco campuses; one domiciliary in Temple; a Blind Rehabilitation Unit in Waco; a rehabilitation unit for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Waco and Serious Mental Illness Life Empowerment (SMILE) in Waco; a rural community outreach clinic in La Grange; and an outpatient clinic annex in Temple. It also has employees at two Vet Centers in Austin and Harker Heights, and a VA-DoD Sleep Clinic in Killeen.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: a. 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.) b. 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: (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. See paragraph 4, section C. c. 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. 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. d. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. e. 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: (1) 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. (2) GS-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below: (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, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. (3) 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 approved 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. (4) 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. GRADE DETERMINATION CONTINUED IN THE EDUCATION SECTION BELOW. Preferred Experience: Lean Belt certification; Charge Nurse/preceptor experience/training; Professional Governance experience; Other role-related technical skills References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard dated April 10, 2003. 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-03 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Straight pulling (1-2 hours); Pushing (1 hour); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking (8-10 hours); Standing (8-10 hours); Repeated bending (0.5 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Mental and emotional stability; Simple grasping (2-4 hours); Sitting (8 hours); Fine manipulation (4-8 hours); Twisting (up to 2 hours)

Education

GRADE DETERMINATION CONTINUED:

(4) GS-6 continued
(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.

EDUCATION:

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Accreditation Information: 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.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Note: If your school was accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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 Central Texas Health Care System 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Temple, TX 76504 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]