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 LVN in the Behavioral Health Care clinics at the El Paso VA Health Care System is responsible for the daily operations in support of Behavioral Health Care provider with the following duties: patient screening with vital signs and reason for seeking care documented, completion of clinical reminders, medication administration via oral, intramuscular and topical routes, Immunizations, patient calls, routing and follow up of patient messages, as well as dressing changes and assisting providers. Each assigned LVN will conduct blood pressure and glucose checks as ordered by provider staff. All clinical documentation is entered in the electronic patient record with strict security protocols followed. The LVN is an advocate for the patient and the patient's family and promotes safety by practicing within their scope of practice and in accordance with local policy and procedures. Duties may include but are not limited to: Demonstrates the ability to provide a full range of care to patients' requiring complex treatments and care with remote supervision by the Registered Nurse. Considers patient age specific needs when providing care. Functions as a preceptor for newly assigned LVN staff. Demonstrates ability to prioritize care delivery, considering the patients individual needs, condition, and the overall needs of the unit. Adapts nursing care to meet the needs of patients. Attends team conferences; suggest appropriate interventions to meet patient care needs. Recognizes emergency situations and acts appropriately to get assistance; initiates CPR. Provides patient/family education and reinforce education initiated by the Registered Nurse. Administers treatments based on plan of care with RN supervision. Knowledge of, and able to perform EKG, and knowledge of pacemaker clinic. Knowledge of injection of medications for prostate cancer (i.e. Eligard), performing urinalysis, use of ARJO lift. Complies with established policies and procedures in the preparation of, the administration of and documentation of medications. (Clinical drug policy -CPM 119-03) Recognizes side effects of medications; reports observations to the Registered Nurse immediately. Complies with established policy and procedure for inventory and administration of narcotics. Assists the Registered Nurse in checking emergency equipment. Administers and monitors infusion of IV medications and fluids. Records amount of fluids infused on Intake and Output record. Provides patient education concerning medications and reinforces education initiated by the Registered Nurse. Recognizes subtle changes in the patient's condition, behavior and/or comfort. Intervenes appropriately. Reports observations and interventions to the Registered Nurse. Records observations and interventions in the electronic medical record. Takes and records vital signs including pain level. Reports abnormal vital signs and pain level immediately to the Registered Nurse. Initiates interventions outlined in the plan of care. Provides patient/family education. Reports response to teaching to the Registered Nurse. Records teaching and response in the electronic medical record. Demonstrates proficiency in use of the electronic medical record. Completes 100% of all clinical reminders due during patients' visit to all primary and Behavioral Health clinics. Interacts in a professional and courteous manner. Acts promptly to resolve complaints within his/her control, and reports interventions to the Registered Nurse in a timely manner. Provides written and oral communication that is thorough and accurate. Aware of service recovery initiatives available to assist with customer service issues. Maintains a safe, clean, clutter free environment for patients, visitors, and co-workers. Corrects and reports safety hazards promptly to the Registered Nurse. Responds appropriately to fire and disaster drills. Utilizes Personal Protective Equipment appropriately. Verbalizes and demonstrates appropriate use of safety materials and apparel (i.e. MSDS, Isolation Equipment, Personal Protective Equipment or PPE) Promptly reports accidents, injuries, disease or illness related to employment to the Registered Nurse. Reports and responds appropriately to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies to the Registered Nurse. Completes mandatory Safety Training. 8. Verbalizes knowledge of the Joint Commission of Healthcare Organizations National Patient Safety Goals Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am -4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Licensed Vocational Nurse (Behavioral Health PACT) EDRP Authorized: Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This is a Bargaining Unit Position

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. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken & written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), & 7407(d). Licensure: Full, active, current & 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. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. Exceptions may 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; 2) VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, or under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; & for their future personnel actions under this authority. 3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. 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: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN/LVN; or(b) 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(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. (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. (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: 1. Experience working with Behavioral Health 2. Experience working with high suicide risk and crisis patients 3. Experience with de-escalating irate patients References: VA Handbook 5005-3 Part II, Appendix G13, April 10, 2003 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: Moderate lifting & carrying (15-44 pounds), straight pulling (0.5 hours), pushing (0.5 hours), reaching above shoulder, walking (5.3 hours), standing (5.3 hours), repeated bending (5.3 hours); ability for rapid mental & 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, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted).

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Failure to submit the required transcript may result in non-referral of your application if we cannot confirm your education is accredited.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Note: If your school was accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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 El Paso VA Clinic 5001 North Piedras Street El Paso, TX 79930 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]