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

NURSING Adheres to VA and Nursing Service policies, procedures, and standards. Delivers care to patients in a respectful non-judgmental manner and according to the Patient Care Plan. Maintains patient/ client privacy. Sets limits within nurse/ patient relationships which are clearly defined. Demonstrates understanding of age- and population - specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran. Performs aspects of admission/discharge procedures, as directed. Collects patient data including observations of patient status. Accurately reports patient/client information. Recognizes subtle and significant changes in the patient in response to nursing care. Communicates subtle changes in patient condition/response to nursing care. Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate. Accurately retrieves and documents patient/ clinical information including reassessment data, using CPRS. Organizes/ prioritizes routine and non-routine nursing care activities. Provides care to patients/clients appropriate to their cognitive, physical, emotional and chronological maturation. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medications, and/or prescribed diagnostic and/or treatment regimes, as directed. (e.g. health promotion, dx. tests). Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medicine. Observes patient for adverse effects from medication and reports to the team RN. Administers a variety of pain control measures and records results. Appropriately uses protective and restraining devices. Performs wound care including dressing changes, irrigations, and drains (Jackson-Pratt, Penrose, Hemovac, and T-tubes). Performs oral/pharyngeal suctioning. Performs tracheostomy care. Monitors gastric/intestinal drainage and feeding tubes. Manages feeding tube, including checking for residual. Implements use of urinary drainage devices and related car. Recovers sedated patients as assigned. Assesses skin and records as appropriate Braden score. Performs actions targeted to the maintenance and/or restoration of skin integrity. Applies pneumatic, sequential, compression devices. Performs ostomy care. Performs graft site care. Performs neuro checks. Implements seizure precautions. Monitors chest tubes. Implements post-operative exercises. Utilizes Doppler ultrasound for vascular data. Participates in Quality Improvement activities, as directed. Monitors/ reports/ participates in selected aspects of: Oxygen therapy, delegated procedures and treatments, implements use of urinary drainage and related care, places-reads-and documents intradermal skin testing, utilizes Doppler for vascular data, transcribes clinician orders for shot clinic and records medication treatments on medication administration record. Completes Health Promotion screenings to include behavior health and immunizations. Transcribes clinician orders for shot clinic and records medication/ treatment on medication administration record. SAFETY Adheres to safety guidelines in accordance with training Classes, written procedures and supervisory instructions. Utilizing safety equipment and other devices/procedures necessary for protection, and reporting of unsafe/unhealthy working conditions or unsafe equipment. Maintains a safe/clean work environment. Selects/utilizes equipment in a safe manner. Selects/employs appropriate lifting/moving/transfer techniques/devices. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS Works effectively with patients/ families/ visitors/ co-workers and/ or members of other services to promote positive interaction. Demonstrates respect for the diversity of cultural, religious, gender orientation and age range of patients served. Demonstrates professional behavior (i.e. respect for others, collegiality, ability to accept constructive criticism), effective communications and interpersonal skills. Utilizes appropriate channel of communications. Appropriately maintains employee/patient confidentiality. Contributes to team-based staff meetings and task forces or committees as appointed. CUSTOMER SERVICE Interacts and communicates appropriately with patients and family members. Maintains a work environment that honors diversity. Demonstrates initiative in assisting the core and expanded teams. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 7:30am to 4:00pm. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected] and [email protected], the EDRP Coordinators 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. 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 National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Transcripts must be submitted at time of application. Conferral of degree(s) must be stated on transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Exceptions include: Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. 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. Licensure: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or District of Columbia. 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). 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 Candidates may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the following criteria: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR 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 Graduation 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. Employees assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities: Knowledge/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/Health Technicians in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Provides education to patients/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/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. Knowledge/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/responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, reporting to personnel for corrective action. GS-6 Completion of at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. Employees assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities: Proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Knowledge/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 recognize, report and record relevant patient information. 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/administers medications and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical/emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal. Knowledge/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/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 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. Incorporates knowledge/understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers. Knowledge/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 employees related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures. Seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve/advance nursing practice. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13 II-G13-1 APPENDIX G13. LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD 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-06. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Straight pulling, 6 hours; Reaching above shoulder; Both hands required; Pushing, 2 hours; use of fingers; Walking, 6 hours; Standing, 2 hours; Repeated bending, 6 hours; Visual acuity 20/30 corrected

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 Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Tamara Harrington
• Phone: 907-375-2133
• Email: [email protected]