This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until March 29, 2024. The first cut-off dates for referral of eligible applications will be 12/15/2023. All eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred to the hiring manager no later than 12/20/2023. Eligible applications received after 12/15/2023 date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

Duties

The LPN works under the direction of an RN and is responsible for observing, recording, and reporting changes in patient's condition, as well as assisting in the development of a holistic wellness care plan. The Licensed Practical Nurse position is critical to the overall function of Community Living Center for delivering timely and safe quality care to Veterans with unique medical illness and nursing care needs. The Licensed Practical Nurse must have demonstrated knowledge of: Demonstrated ability to function with minimal supervision assuming accountability for delivery of patient care/health information. Contribute to the team's interdisciplinary approach to patient care. Demonstrated ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for nursing care, medication, equipment-assisted care and to recognize deviations from normal. Organizes work so that all essential activities are carried out; use judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines, collect data, report accurately and record significant patient information. Demonstrated ability to use and apply knowledge of human behavior, motivations and reactions to situations in working effectively with patients, family members, staff, other healthcare providers. and is willing to serve as a preceptor to cross-train other team members/students as needed. Establish constructive relationships with individual patients to elicit feeling/attitudes, and to promote relationships, communication and socialization skills. Administer prescribed medications and perform minor to complex treatment within scope of practice, according to policy. Demonstrate ability to use the computer terminal and keyboard. Uses Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS/VISTA) effectively, progressing with the program as use increases. Observe, reports and documents relevant information regarding patients. Documents nursing care, gather data for completion of assessment on chronic diseases and preventive screening. Record data in patient's medical record consistent with charting guidelines. Provides administrative/clinical support to co-workers secondary to performance of primary patient care responsibilities. The employee functions as a responsible and highly skilled member of the nursing team. Make or receive calls for administrative purposes, (i.e., lab, ancillary services, etc.). Demonstrates the ability to vary the order and sequence of assigned duties based upon the patients' condition. Take appropriate actions to ensure orders are completely accomplished. Provide instructions as needed for screening test, or other diagnostic procedures. Demonstrate dependability and loyalty by adherence to policies, procedures, and position requirements; accept team decisions in a cooperative and positive manner. Recognizes medical/surgical and behavioral emergency situations and initiates appropriate immediate action according to established policies and procedures. Documents care, and treatment given and changes in patient's general physical and mental status. Monitors patient care and outcome responses noting changes to provider/nurse. Demonstrated knowledge, skill and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations, i.e., assisting with electrocardiograms (EKG) and gaining intravenous (IV) access as needed. Demonstrated knowledge of age-specific criteria to appropriately use and document this knowledge and skill into treatment provided. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Days/Evenings/Nights/Rotating Shifts. Subject to change based on agency needs. Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 619000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. 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. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). 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. Must pass a pre-employment examination if selected. Preferred Experience: A minimum of 3 years of successful clinical nursing practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Grade Determinations: GS-3: 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-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below:· 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. 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 NAs/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 at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for theGS-5 LPN/LVN:· 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G-13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-0620-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 06. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.

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 Central Alabama VA Medical Center-Montgomery 215 Perry Hill Road Montgomery, AL 36109 US
• Name: Sherrita Hamilton
• Phone: 205-702-1479
• Email: [email protected]