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

The LPN performs patient care duties under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN). They provide patient care, which is appropriate to the genitive, emotional, spiritual, chronological, recreational, and diversional activities of the patient. The LPN demonstrates knowledge of changes associated with aging and provides care based upon age related factors as specified in their appropriateness and conformity with policy and nursing assignments. Provision of Care 1.Ability to plan and organize assignments with assistance and direction. Completes assignments and assists others as needed. 2.Considers patient age specific needs when providing care. 3.Demonstrates ability to prioritize care delivery, considering the patients individual needs, condition, and the overall needs of the unit. 4.Adapts nursing care to meet the needs of patients. 5.Administers treatments based on the plan of care with supervision. 6.Participates in treatment team conferences. 7.Asks appropriate questions to clarify assignment. 8.Recognizes emergency situations and acts appropriately to get assistance. 9.Reinforces education initiated by the Registered Nurse to patient/family/significant other. 10.Participates appropriately in the admission and discharge of patients. Medication Administration 1. Complies with established policies and procedures in the preparation f, administration of, and documentation of medications. 2.Recognizes side effects of medications; reports observations to the Registered Nurse immediately. 3.Demonstrates proficiency using BCMA system. 4.Complies with established policy and procedure for inventory and administration of narcotics. 5.Assists the Registered Nurse in checking emergency equipment. 6.Administers and monitors infusion of IV medications and fluids (if IV certified.) 7.Records amount of fluids infused on Intake and Output record. 8.Reinforces education concerning medications initiated by the Registered Nurse. Communication and Documentation 1.Recognizes changes in the patient's condition, behavior and/or comfort. Reports observations and interventions to the Registered Nurse. 2.Takes and records vital signs including pain level. Reports abnormal vital signs and pain level immediately to the Registered Nurse. 3.Reinforces patient family education initiated by the Registered Nurse. 4.Demonstrates increasing proficiency in use of the electronic medical record. Safety 1.Maintains a safe, clean, clutter free environment for patients, visitors, and co-workers. Corrects and reports safety hazards promptly to the Registered Nurse. 2.Responds appropriately to fire and disaster drills. 3.Utilizes Personal Protective Equipment appropriately. 4.Verbalizes and demonstrates appropriate use of safety materials and apparel (i.e., SOS, Isolation Equipment) 5.Promptly reports accidents, injuries, disease or illness related to employment to the Registered Nurse. 6.Reports and responds appropriately to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies to the Registered Nurse. 7.Completes mandatory Safety Training. Work Schedule: Days/Evenings/Nights and rotate weekends. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 57442-O, 57443-O, 57444-O, 57445-O 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

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. 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. 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 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Experience/Education:Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVNOR, 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 Experience:Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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, NP, and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs)/Intermediate Care Technicians (ICTs) 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, NP, 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, NP, 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, NP, 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 Experience: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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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), Nurse Practitioner (NP), 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, NP, or MD/DO. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN, NP, 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/ICTs 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: Mental health and/or substance abuse experience preferred. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIXG13 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 VA Western Colorado Health Care System 2121 North Avenue Grand Junction, CO 81501 US
• Name: Maria Romero
• Phone: 970-263-5098
• Email: [email protected]