The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical Nurse is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. This position is in the Outpatient area(s) of the Boise VA Medical Center, Boise, Idaho. This position provides support for the Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), VA Outreach clinics and the Eastern Oregon clinics.

Duties

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: LPN The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. This position is in the Outpatient area(s) of the Boise VA Medical Center, Boise, Idaho. This position provides support for the Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Twin Falls, Idaho and Caldwell, Idaho, and the VA Outreach clinics in Mountain Home, Idaho, Salmon, Idaho, and the Eastern Oregon clinic in Hines, Boise Primary Care, Women's Clinic, and Specialty Clinics. Duties include, but are not limited to: Accurately completes preventive health and chronic disease indexes of patients seen in outpatient clinics. Accurately administers injectable medication with no more than two valid failures or omissions and supervisory feedback during the rating period. Basic nursing care for adult and elderly patients is administered according to clinic guidelines, and plan of care under the direction of the supervising RN. Performs treatments and procedures which include application of antiseptic sterile and non-sterile techniques, i.e., bladder catheterization insertion and removal, EKG, enemas, bladder scans, capillary blood glucose (CBG), venipuncture, suture and/or staple removal, and oximetry. Recognizes signs and symptoms reflecting changes in patient condition using knowledge of vital signs, CBG, and observational skills. Takes corrective action appropriately when potential or life-threatening changes occur in the patient condition. Maintains patient comfort and safety while in the clinical environment. Identifies patient educational needs and seeks assistance as appropriate and reassures patients and family members by explaining hospital and outpatient treatments and procedures. Effectively communicates with adult and elderly patients and families identifying and responding appropriately to patient's needs such as increased anxiety, procedural knowledge deficits, personal and privacy needs with no more than two valid failures or complaints during the rating period. Demonstrates a commitment to providing customer service in all aspects of daily work activities. Demonstration of good customer service includes conveying a positive, courteous, friendly, polite, professional and helpful attitude to customers, making eye contact with individuals when speaking to them, speaking in a friendly voice tone. Observes, monitors, documents and reports pertinent data to appropriate interdisciplinary team members. Records all medications and procedures provided and records patient responses to these interventions. Performs clerical duties such as; schedule and cancel patient appointments, print letters for patient communications, completes pre-registration on patients, completes in-house consults, and other duties as appropriate to front office. Demonstrates a good awareness of safety procedures and regulations by quickly responding or taking the appropriate action to correct safety hazards anywhere in the medical center. Works safely using proper procedures and techniques. Reports all accidents expediently on proper forms. Attends training when assigned. Responsible to maintain BLS through employment with the Boise VAMC. All other clinics and duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse 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. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), at the time the program was completed; Health care education obtained in the military service or training in the military service which was accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which you are licensed; Granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN. Licensure: Must possess a 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. (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIRED) 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 Level: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Level: Must have completed six (6) 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. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) GS-5 Level: Must have completed at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent that includes: 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. 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 Level: Must have 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 that includes: 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. 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 Preferred Experience: 2 years of successful experience in Specialty Outpatient Clinics. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3, PART II, APPENDIX G13. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Requires potentially long periods of continues walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; perform physical assessments. Transferring patient and objects may be required.

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 Boise VA Medical Center 500 West Fort Street Boise, ID 83702 US
• Name: Zylkia Mont Perez
• Phone: 813-893-5173
• Email: [email protected]