Recruitment/relocation: Incentive Authorized Eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. 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 review of the EDRP application.

Duties

The incumbent practices as a LPN in Social & Behavioral Health Service (S&BHS). The clinic provides outpatient mental health, social work and addictions treatment to patients who present with urgent /chronic psychosocial conditions, change in mental status and/or functional decline. Patient Care: Demonstrate knowledge and ability to appropriately perform patient care based on patient's condition(s) and needs. Accurately identify, report, and record relevant patient care information within the guidelines for established standard of care. Under minimal supervision, plan and carry out assigned tasks following VHA directives and local policies. Provide patient and family education regarding mental health condition(s), care, tests, medications, and general health maintenance. Observes and appropriately responds to subtle changes in patient behavior to include providing emotional support and interventions to maximize patient outcomes. Complete clinical reminders due during each patient visit. Complete assigned TMS training related to Suicide Prevention to improve ability to recognize suicidal or homicidal ideation and seek appropriate help. Identify every Veteran with at least 2 identifiers. Follow the 5 rights of patient medication administration. Prepare and administer medications in accordance with VHA directives and AVAHRSO policies. Monitor for medication side-effects and take appropriate action. Conduct a medication reconciliation using the most recent medication list. Review each medication with the Veteran/caregiver including any non-VA medications. Notate and changes. Customer Service: Demonstrate a general knowledge of professional interpersonal relationships, ability to establish rapport, and an understanding of human behaviors and motivations. Promote Veteran trust by accurately documenting message and routing them appropriately. Recognize the importance of teamwork, cooperation, and volunteer to help other team members as appropriate. Communicate aptly and courteously with all internal and external customers. Use appropriate channels of communication. Participate in SBHS quality improvement initiatives. Attend and participate in the monthly SBHS Staff Meetings. Use active listening and therapeutic communication with Veterans, their families, and caregivers. Promptly answer phone calls and routinely check voice mail throughout the day. Coordinate Veteran follow-up appointments with SBHS scheduling staff. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8am - 4:30pm Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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 Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Exceptions include: Health care education in the military service or training in the military service that is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure meets the education requirements. 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. 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. Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses must be proficient in both spoken and written English. 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-3: None beyond the basic requirements.GS-4: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN;ORMust have graduated from an approved school 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;ORMust have graduated 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 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 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. 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. 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. Recognizes and appropriately responds 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. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review. GS-6: Completion of one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN AND 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. Completed work should need only a general review by a RN/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. 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. 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 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. 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 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Preferred Experience: One year of Mental Health Experience

Education

Qualifications required:
Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Pulling hand over hand, 4 hours; Pushing, 2 hours; Walking, 4 hours; Standing, 3 hours; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both and legs hands required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Repeated bending, 1 hour; Kneeling, .5 hours; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Depth Perception; Both eyes required; Hearing (aid may be permitted); visual acuity 20/30 corrected;

Environmental Factors: Outside and inside; Excessive cold; Excessive noise, intermittent; Dust; Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working closely with others
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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 Anchorage VA Medical Center 1201 North Muldoon Road Anchorage, AK 99504 US
• Name: Delilah Black
• Phone: 215-823-5800 X6491
• Email: [email protected]