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

This position is in the Primary Care Service located at the various associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) within the Birmingham VA Health Care System (BVAHCS). The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) GS-6 functions as a member of the health care team by demonstrating an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and\ skills necessary for self-direction in carrying out complex practical nursing care assignments within the CBOCs and Specialty Clinics for a Veteran population with a variety of health care needs. Assignments associated with this position include, but are not limited to: Manages patient care problems and deviations using self-direction in accordance with VA Nursing Practice and LPN licensure standards. Maintains knowledge and skill to care for a wide range of patients, including those with chronic and acute illness. Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of disease conditions, nursing principles, and standards/practices to coordinate nursing care required in the clinic setting and alter the sequence and/or care delivered to meet individual patient's needs. Assesses, records, and reports vital signs, neurological signs, weight, and blood glucose levels. Appropriately triages and prioritizes patient needs as routine, urgent, or emergent in the clinic setting and modifies patient care/treatment as needed. Checks patients into the clinic, interviews patient and/or significant other, and documents intake data as per policy. Possesses comprehensive knowledge of VA protocols and VHA directives related to clinic management, documentation, and computer technology. Demonstrates knowledge, skill, and ability to promptly recognize and effectively intervene in potentially urgent or emergent situations. Maintains and implements knowledge of anatomy and physiology as well as scientific principles underlying nursing care and procedures. Serves as a resource for complex/specialized procedures (i.e. non-complex suture removal, non-complex wound care, blood draws, and clinic specific procedures, such as ear irrigation). Performs venipuncture for blood draws, prepares specimens for transport and processing (centrifuge and serum separation), transcribes orders, accessions label, provides patient education about lab tests, etc. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to access lab software, review lab orders, and ensure lab results are communicated to the patient within established guidelines. Demonstrates knowledge of standard precautions, medical asepsis, and sterile technique with the ability to correctly apply these principles and techniques and assist others with implementation in the clinic setting. Demonstrates the knowledge and skill to interpret common test results and other medical data. Takes an active role in health promotion and disease prevention to improve patient outcomes. Provides one-on-one or group teaching as appropriate. Teaches patients and families principles of health, self-care, and treatments related to wellness and health promotion. Communicates calmly, courteously, and professionally with all patients, personnel, and visitors while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations and Medical Center policies. Collaborates with the PACT team and other interdisciplinary services in the development, implementation, and evaluation of patient care. Serves in a leadership role within the PACT team to promote holistic care and optimize clinic efficiency. Active participant in quality improvement projects/hospital committees to promote evidence-based practice and performance improvement in the clinic setting. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills. Demonstrates knowledge of medical equipment and supplies with advanced skill to set up and/or operate specialized equipment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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

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. English Language Proficiency: Written and Spoken Physical Standards: All applicants must meet the physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to employment may be required. 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. 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. 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. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-3 None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 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 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. 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. GS-6 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. 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. Please refer to the assessment questionnaire for complete qualification standards expected at the GS- 03, 04, 05 and 06 level References: VA Handbook 5005/27, Part II, Appendix G13, LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated April 10, 2003.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.

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 Birmingham VA Medical Center 700 South 19th Street Birmingham, AL 35233 US
• Name: Stanley Peters
• Email: [email protected]