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 staff Licensed Practical Nurse will provide safe, routine care to Veterans at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center within both inpatient and outpatient units. Duties included but are not limited to: Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a limited range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Work is under the supervision of an RN or PROVIDER. Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or PROVIDER. Collects data relevant to patient's learning needs, learning preference and readiness to learn. With early intervention prevents urgent care and/or unplanned visits based on patient centered care. Demonstrates ability to articulate Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) programs and how it is utilized. Assists in monitoring for any evidence of abuse/neglect and demonstrates knowledge of the abuse reporting process. Encourages patient to verbalize concerns and fears regarding end-of-life issues and losses. Implements interventions to maintain skin integrity and prevent skin breakdown. Adapts the environment to promote comfort and maximal functioning, self-care and independence. Maintains safe and therapeutic environment by providing one-on-one observation for behavioral health patients as directed by the PROVIDER. Under close supervision administers prescribed therapies using appropriate judgment and in and in accordance with medical center and Ambulatory Care policies and procedures. Demonstrates courtesy, respect, and dignity to patients, families and internal/external customers. Provides timely access to health care. Maintains a positive attitude. Demonstrated ability to serve as a member of a PACT team-let and interacts in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel. Demonstrates professional behavior, respect for others, collegiality, ability to accept constructive feedback. Utilizes VA Core Values in the performance and delivery of care to patients, families and co-workers. These include trust, respect compassion, commitment and excellence. Meets patients' diverse needs based on age, culture, ethnic, spiritual and war conflict group. Assists team-let to meet physical comfort needs and provide support to meet emotional needs. Demonstrates awareness of verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Communicates effectively and appropriately when transferring patients to different levels of care - ISBAR handoffs. Serves as a mediator for patient, families and colleagues to improve the quality of communication and interactions in selected care settings. Gives support to other PACT team members. Supports interdisciplinary teamwork to resolve issues. Communicates information to Nurse Manager/designee in a timely manner regarding assigned patients throughout tour of duty. Collaborates with co-workers in completions of workload. Demonstrates competency according to Medical Center policies on abuse/neglect and patient rights. Knowledge and skill enough to prepare and appropriately document actions taken, specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, skin tests, and inhalation 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 PROVIDER. Collects and documents preventive indexes and clinic practice guidelines. Records all significant observations and actions taken, using established oral, written and computer communications according to documentation guidelines. Provides input to PACT team-let decisions. Actively involved in team-let huddles. Documents interfaculty consult transfers to main facility, contacts transportation with direction from PROVIDER. Recognizes and reports to supervisor breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm/subject to change based on the facility needs Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00390F/00391F/00392F/00393F 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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. 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 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. 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/LVN 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. 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). 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 in paragraphs 3b(2) (a) through (c) below: (1) Experience and/or Education. (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or (b) 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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. (d) LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 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-5 (1) Experience. Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. (2) In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) 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. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. (f) 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. GS6 grade determination continued under "Education" section below

Education

GS-6 (1) 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.
(2) In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
(b) 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.
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
(e) 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.
(f) 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.
(g) 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.
(h) 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.
(i) 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: N/A

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS3 to GS6.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds Straight pulling Pushing Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking Standing Kneeling Repeated bending Climbing, use of legs and arms Both legs required Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other Both eyes required Depth perception Hearing (aid 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 GV Sonny Montgomery VAMC 1500 East Woodrow Wilson Drive Jackson, MS 39216 US
• Name: Stacy Cole
• Phone: 909-683-8155
• Email: [email protected]