This position maybe 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 is an open continuous posting and may close before the listed closing date. A certificate will be issued every 15 days until a selection is made.** Duties include but are not limited to: 1. Function as a member of the nursing care team and assist other licensed nursing staff in the holistic care of routine to complex patients receiving inpatient, outpatient, or long- term care. Patient problems span the spectrum of illness from acute, sub-acute to chronic and encompass all dimensions of the biopsychosocial disease process. 2. Perform complex practical nursing skills with precision and efficiency, consistent with Medical Center policy and procedure and within the legal and ethical responsibilities of his/her licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse. 3. Prepare and administer prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular) and performs treatments as ordered and according to established policies and procedures. 4. Observes for therapeutic response or changes in patient condition caused by medications, treatments, or procedures and provide appropriate intervention and reporting. 5. Accurately record care delivery and observations using established oral, written and computer communications according to documentation guidelines. 6. Able to use equipment, materials and supplies in diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection, etc. 7. Communicate effectively with patients, their families and other health professionals. 8. Recognize and react to emergent patient care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance, for example, recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc. 9. Ensures the safety of patients and staff by adhering to infection and safety protocols. 10. Other duties of care as directed by Registered Nurses and/or providers. Work Schedule: Various Schedules Telework: Not Available Functional Statement #: 502-00263-F / 502-00264-F / 502-00265-F / 502-00266-F or 502-00162-F / 502-00163-F / 502-00164-F / 502-00165-F EDRP Authorized: Maybe authorized for qualified positions.Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more (EDRP will only apply to LTC LPNs (National Funding) Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Education: Must be a graduate of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing at the time the program was completed by the applicant. License: Must have a full, current, active and unrestricted license as a graduate licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or District of Columbia. 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-03: 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. GS-04: Candidates 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 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. OR(d) LPNs at the GS-04 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-03 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. GS-05: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-04 level or equivalent. Applicants must also meet the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs): 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. (KSAs must be clearly reflected in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level). GS-06: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-05LPN/LVN: Applicants must also meet the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 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 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. 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. (KSAs must be clearly reflected in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level).

Education

Preferred Experience:

• Acute Med/Surgery
  • Experience preferred/not required

• Urgent Care Clinic
  • 1 year nursing experience

• Outpatient Clinics (Alexandria)
  • 1-2 years nursing experience from any setting is applicable.

• Community Living Center
  • Long term care or nursing home experience preferred

• Mental Health Inpatient
  • One year of mental health or residential treatment program experience preferred. More than 2-years in ER, long-term care, and other rehabilitation care environments considered.

• Mental Health Outpatient
  • One year of mental health or residential treatment program experience preferred. More than 2-years in ER, long-term care, and other rehabilitation care environments considered.

• Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program
  • One year of mental health or residential treatment program experience preferred. More than 2-years in ER, long-term care, and other rehabilitation care environments considered.

• Community Based Outpatient Clinics (Lafayette, Lake Charles, Jennings, Natchitoches, Fort Johnson)
  • 1-2 years of Primary Care Experience

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.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), Heavy carrying ( 15-44 pounds), Pushing (4 hours); pulling hand over hand, reaching above shoulder, Walking ( 8 hours), Standing (8 hours), Repeated bending (2 hours), use of fingers, both hands required; both legs required, Far Vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of color, depth perception; both eyes required, Hearing (aide may be permitted).

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 Alexandria VA Medical Center 2495 Shreveport Highway Pineville, LA 71360 US
• Name: Teri Bankhead
• Phone: 2057719942
• Email: [email protected]