The Licensed Vocational Nurse will work at the Santa Rosa VA Clinic. Assignments at this level demand an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills which are necessary for concentrated effort and self direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing assignments. She/He is assigned to patients who require the use of highly specialized skills, perceptive judgment and observation.

Duties

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. EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more. Duties include but not limited to: Uses sound clinical judgment, has ability to vary the order and sequence of assignments based on patients' conditions. Utilizes knowledge of physical, social, and emotional factors when planning patient care, and uses this knowledge effectively in day-to-day interactions with patients and families. Recognizes deviations from patient's baseline. Demonstrates ability to respond to patient's immediate and long-term needs. Prepares and administers medications correctly and understands the action and side effects of all medications administered. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO. Performs complex treatments and procedures with exceptional skill and knowledge, to include venipuncture as defined in policy. Applies knowledge of Medical Center Policies and Procedures to his/her daily clinical functions and responsibilities. Age differences-delivers nursing care that reflects the various phases of the life cycle from 18 to 85 years and over. Distinguishes individual age need differences, considers maturation changes, promotes health in all phases, differentiates the need for special equipment, and considers the young adults and older adults' exposure to substance abuse problems. Participates in Interdisciplinary Team meetings to develop the patients' care plan goals. Documents patient's responses to interdisciplinary plans for, group care, group therapy, patient teaching and planned activities. Performs escort duties based upon the care needs of the veteran. Assists in the performance of diagnostic procedures and treatments. After competency, may perform central line dressing changes as defined in policy. After competency, may perform heparin or saline flushes in peripheral lines and PICC lines as defined in policy. Applies knowledge of effective verbal interactions and preventative tactics, such as the use of the least restrictive environment, when confronted by aggressive or potentially assaultive patients. Knowledge of physical, social, and emotional factors when planning patient care, and use this knowledge appropriately to respond to Code Blue emergencies. Recognizes and initiates life saving measures appropriately in the absence of other members of the Healthcare Team. Participates in the planning and/or implementation of various codes and emergency management procedures. Uses safe techniques when giving patient care and handling equipment, using standard precautions and person/patient protective equipment. Recognizes and reports unsafe situations. initiates appropriate emergency interventions. Assesses acute and subtle changes and consistency in patients' mental and physical condition and intervenes appropriately. Adjusts assignments or prioritizes care based on his/her assessment of the overall workload of the team assignment and patient care needs. Recognizes and reports signs of physical and emotional abuse of patient, family and significant others. Conducts group meetings to help share feelings, improve socialization skills and enhance their self-esteem. Applies knowledge of human behavior and the various degrees of physical and mental impairment, is able to modify patient/family teaching methods. Recognizes patient care management difficulties or problems and makes suggestions for change. Communicates with patients and families in a calming, reassuring, and supportive manner. Maintains a safe work environment and adheres to Safety and Infection Control Guidelines. Utilizes proper body mechanics, encourages others to do so, and includes information regarding prevention of injury during unit In-service and Patient Care Conferences. Work Schedule:8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. 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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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 include 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 OR 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 - Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia. 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: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, 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-06 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. Proficiency 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, using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, and accurately recognizing, reporting, and recording relevant patient information. Ability to observe, identify, and response to a patient's needs for care including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for, documents, and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations and the ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members and other staff. Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which includes preparing the patient and 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. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Salary for this position ranges dependent upon applicant qualifications GS-06: $77,418-$100,647 annually The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for is the 6. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The population of male and female patients served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 6 and over. VA San Francisco Health Care System is a health care facility, providing acute medical, surgical, behavioral health, physical medicine and rehabilitation, geriatric, and primary care services predominately to veterans, but in special cases, includes active duty military and civilian populations. This position requires visual acuity (correctable to 20/40), hearing clear distinctive speech (correctable to 20db), and manual dexterity to perform prescribed procedures/computer usage. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or during patient operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and is able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

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 San Francisco VA Medical Center 4150 Clement Street San Francisco, CA 94121 US
• Name: Angelica Ratliff
• Phone: (925) 356-5892
• Email: [email protected]