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 Licensed Practical Nurse engages in nursing care which requires the knowledge and skills of an individual licensed as an LPN. The LPN at the GS- 7 Level maintains a high level of practice under the supervision of an RN. He/she is responsible for the quality of care delivered and their personal and professional behavior. Participates in Quality Improvement (QI) projects/hospital committees to promote quality improvement efforts in the domiciliary setting. Serves as a representative for DOM on both unit and facility-wide committees (i.e. hand wash audit, LPN Standards Board). Duties include, but are not limited to: Implements orders and provides care to a variable patient population. He/she is responsible for direct patient care activities under the supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN). Assignments with supplemental verbal instructions that are given by the RN. The LPN seeks guidance from the RN when difficulty is encountered with the assignment. Completes more complex procedure or practice that may be subjected to a closer or higher-level review. He/she performs support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, including preparing patients, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and handling specialized instrument or other equipment, and monitoring patient's condition before, during, and following the procedure. (i.e. breathalyzer and urine drug screens). Observes, identifies, and responds to patient's need for care, including medication, equipment assisted care, patient/family education, and oral/written documentation in accordance with policy, procedures, and guideline. He/she prepares/administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, and intramuscular). Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments promptly and accurately notating deviations from normal to the RN and/or Medical Provider. Adheres to the agency requirement for reporting medication errors, reactions, and side effects immediately. Completes clinical reminders and serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures. Participates actively in performance improvement measures. Contributes to team initiatives and continuously strives to improve the effectiveness of the team(s) to which they are assigned. Personal Leave is well planned so as to have little effect on unit coverage. Expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. Relates therapeutically with patients on a 1:1 basis according to their needs and the plan of care. Work Schedule: Night Shifts, 7:00 pm - 7:30 am Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 520-00372-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

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. 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. 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 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. Grade Determinations: GS-7 Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge Skills Abilities: (a) Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. (b) Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. (c) Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations. (d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels. (e) Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate. (f) Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability o understand or follow instructions. (g) Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice. (h) Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas. (i) Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff. (j) Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. (k) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. Preferred Experience: See details below in Education Section References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13 APRIL 13, 2003 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items.

Education

Preferred Experience:

• At least one (2) year clinical experience as an LPN is required.
• Mental Health experience is preferred.
• Ability to practice cooperative and professional interpersonal communications with diverse multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work with patients exhibiting a variety of physical problems.
• Ability to collect and record a variety of patient data in a computer based electronic medical record system.
• Ability to perform direct nursing care in compliance with organization standards, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Skilled in patient and family education for patient medications and disease processes.
• Ability to work with Mental Health patients with behavioral problems.
• Current license and BLS certification.

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 Biloxi VA Medical Center 400 Veterans Avenue Biloxi, MS 39531 US
• Name: Leslie Cruz
• Phone: 228-260-3377
• Email: [email protected]