The Western New York VA Healthcare System is seeking a highly qualified Full Time, Licensed Practical Nurse to serve as a member of the Geriatric and Extended Care Team located in Batavia, New York.

Duties

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) works under the direction and supervision of the registered nurse and displays knowledge and ability in providing a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems at the Batavia VAMC. The LPN serves as a responsible member of the nursing team and interacts with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel who provide patient care, and with members of other services. The LPN functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team, participates in providing holistic care to patients in acute, sub-acute or chronic stages of illness with changing nursing needs that are predictable and require periodic assessment by the registered nurse. The incumbent carries out all functions and duties outlined for the practical nurse, but on a regular and recurring basis performs aspects of nursing care that require a basic understanding of the total patient program, understanding of simple scientific facts and principles, a broad spectrum of technical skills, adaptation of procedures to meet individual patient needs, and recognition of the relatedness of patients' behavior and physical condition. Duties Include However Are Not Limited to The Following: Establishing positive patient/family/staff relationships by utilizing appropriate communication skills. Assisting in the collection and documentation of routine objective and subjective data relative to uncomplicated patient situations. Participating in patient centered conferences and shift reports. Assisting and maintaining a clean, safe, and therapeutic environment. Adhering to all safety and health standards, regulations, and work practices. Providing competent patient care in a manner which ensures safety to patients, staff, visitors, and self, and seeking direction as needed. Assisting with simple diagnostic measures, including collection of urine and stool specimens, and collecting and/or testing any other specimens as instructed. Assisting with appropriate actions in emergency situations; initiating CPR when indicated. Maintains BLS certification. Performing routine treatments relevant to area of assignment. Administering selected medications to a number of patients and seeking clarification of orders as necessary. Identifying the need for PRN medications, recognizing and reporting effects of medication. Documenting the administration of all medications in the Medical Record following established policies. Documenting the response to PRN medications in the medical record. Recording basic information in the medical record and reporting patient status to RN. Documenting patient/family/significant other teaching and their response to the teaching. Displaying respect for human dignity and the uniqueness of the patient unrestricted by consideration of social or economic status, personal attributes, or nature of health problems. Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature. Assisting with the implementation of the quality improvement program at the unit level. Following established safety practices and reporting to the supervisor, as promptly as possible, unsafe conditions, unsafe practices, or any occupational illness or injury which was sustained. Maintains professional boundaries with patients, families, and other staff at all times. All other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Variable Day, 12 hour Tour of Duty (7:00 am - 8:00 pm) Telework: Not Available Functional Statement #: 23918-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3g.) English Language Proficiency: Ability to communicate in spoken and written English with patients and other health care personnel with sufficient fluency to satisfactorily carry out assigned responsibilities, in accordance with Public Law 95-201. 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. 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. GS-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs (a) through (c) below:(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. GS-5. (a)Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.(b) 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.(c) 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.(d) 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.(e) 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.(f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. GS-6. (a) 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.(b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.(c) 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.(d) 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.(e) 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.(f) 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.(g) 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.(h) 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.(i) 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.(j) 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: 2 Years of Practical Nursing in a Hospital or Nursing Home Environment 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G13 Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen· hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VA Western New York Healthcare System 3495 Bailey Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215 US
• Name: Sean Dixon
• Phone: 585-393-8797
• Email: [email protected]