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

A RELOCATION INCENTIVE IS AUTHORIZED The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is assigned to the General Medicine Service Line and functions as the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Clinical Associate team member under the guidance of the Registered Nurse, and must be able to function independently and autonomously, according to established policies, procedures, and practices. The duties listed are GS-6 Full Performance Level, GS-3/4/5 duties will differ in complexity and level of supervision. Some of the main duties include: Observe, identify, and respond to the Veteran's needs for nursing, medication, point-of-care testing, and equipment-assisted care and to recognize deviations from normal. Deliver care to patients in a respectful non-judgmental manner and according to Patient Care Plan. Demonstrate an understanding of age and population specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran. Collect patient data including observations of patient status. Recognize subtle and significant changes in the patient in response to nursing care. Promptly recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance, and effectively intervene as directed when appropriate. Organize and prioritize routine and non-routine nursing care activities. Function at the full extent of relevant clinical privileges, credentials, scopes of practice, elements of practice, certification, and other VHA or local facility documentation of competency. Provide health education and health coaching on wellness, disease prevention, chronic disease management, and self-management skills with Veterans, family, and caregivers. Use formal and informal communications that are respectful, effective, timely, and bidirectional with all team members, including the Veteran, family, or caregivers, to convey significant, clinically relevant information for the care of the Veteran. Manage clinic workflow to ensure Veterans are placed in examination rooms in a timely manner and provide direction with Veterans as they move through the clinic environment. Maintain knowledge of and skill in applying telehealth related technologies to provide VA Video Connect (VVC), Clinical Video Technology (CVT), or Telemedicine. Prepare the clinical environment, which may include telecommunications equipment to be used for clinical examination and treatment. Take measures to ensure patient care is delivered safely by following appropriate procedures for cleaning of clinical equipment and care of environment by following all safety guidelines, protocols, and procedures. Arrange and complete test video calls with Veterans in preparation of video calls. Accept responsibility for mistakes and comply with established control systems and rules (e.g., proper use and handling of government equipment; protection of confidential or personally identifiable information). Report any perceived violations of law or official wrongdoing (e.g., fraud, abuse, waste, or abuse of authority and violations of VA core values (ICARE). Provide excellent customer service by anticipating and meeting the needs of Veterans and internal and external customers. Deliver high quality clinical care, practice, and service, adjusting priorities as needed. Perform specimen collection of urine, sputum, blood, or stool ensuring to utilize proper labeling, packaging, and transport instructions from the Primary Care Community Based Clinics or assigned areas to the main facility laboratory. Utilize proper facility required patient identified methods and ensure patient confidentiality is maintained. Exercise effective communication skills prior to, during, and after specimen collection, and review pertinent information with the patient. Maintain specimen integrity by using aseptic techniques, following department procedures, and observe and adhere to personal protective equipment policies and guidelines. Adhere to applicable infection control guidelines of hand hygiene before and after venipuncture of all patients. Resolve order discrepancies by contacting the order originator for further clarification, notify supervisor of unresolved orders. Maintain a safe and secure working environment by adhering to local medical center standards, policies, and procedures as well as other federal or state regulating bodies to include but not limited to Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Work Schedule: Mon - Fri, 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Ad-hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENTS. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. 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. 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 DETERMININATION. In addition to the basic requirements, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. 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 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. 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. (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. (g) 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. (a) Completion of at least 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13, 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires heavy lifting (over 45 pounds); straight pulling (up to 6 hours); pushing (up to 2 hours); walking (up to 6 hours); standing (up to 2 hours); repeated bending (up to 6 hours); the ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); and visual acuity correctable to 20/30. You must be able to work with hands in water and work closely with others.

Education

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). If selected for this position, you are encouraged to apply for EDRP within four (4) months of appointment and must meet specific individual eligibility criteria in accordance with VHA Policy 1021. Final award amount and program start date is determined after review of a complete EDRP application, supporting documentation, and final approval by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office. Please contact the EDRP Coordinators @ [email protected]

IMPORTANT: This position has a positive education or training requirement. An unofficial copy of college transcripts showing completion of the required degree or program is required and must include the name of the school, your name, date conferred or completed, and degree or certificate type.

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 VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Joe Julkowski
• Phone: 509-434-7382
• Email: [email protected]