This Licensed Practical Nurse Surgical Specialty Clinic position at Lebanon, PA VAMC is opened to current employees of this facility.

Duties

The LPN/LVN GS-7 will: Function independently as the team leader for the care provided to an outpatient team of Veterans by other licensed and non-licensed nursing personnel in their clinical area. Serves as a role model, mentor, and resource to other nursing staff within the surgical specialty clinics, in the application of the nursing process and patient care. Reports required information for hand-off communication to the Rapid Response Team (RRT), provides Basic Life Support (BLS) in the 1st few minutes of an emergency, supports team while in the clinic or en-route. Completes all necessary supporting documentation. Coordinates the transfer of Veterans to a more acute level of care, as applicable. Performing support duties for transport to the Emergency Department (ED) as necessary. Performs support duties for diagnostic procedures, which include preparing the Veteran and monitoring the Veteran's condition, actively involved within the time out, and tracking scopes used during the procedure. Monitors schedules and consults and discuss issues with administrative and clerical staff when challenges to flow of the clinic arise Coordinate care between multiple providers within Lebanon VA Medical Center and the community Coordinates care to the most appropriate level of skill required for the tasks/duties of the other LPN's as well as HAS, EMS and radiology ancillary staff. Demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform treatments, procedures, and the use and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment and appropriate to assigned duties. Assists other staff in prioritization of overall veteran care needs and adjusts plan of care as needed. Has astute assessment skills, which allow for observation of obvious and subtle changes in the veteran health condition. Responds diligently to the veteran changes and deteriorating condition in emergent situations, notifying appropriate personnel in a timely manner. Determines priority of care needs and communicates to LPN and RN expectations of care Possesses the knowledge and skills to carry out more specialized patient care activities, such as spinal pain injections. This knowledge base also includes the use of veteran care data to initiate active contributions to the veteran's overall health plan. Observations of the veteran's present status are made, and interventions implemented to improve, restore, or maintain the optimal function of the veteran. Has knowledge of program/specialty area's regulations and is able to carry out objectives of the Nursing department. In doing this, follows the guidelines to meet and maintain program requirements. Will serve as technical/clinical resource prior to and during accrediting body survey activities. Prepares and administers prescribed medications and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. The LPN/LVN observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's health condition, and promptly and accurately reports identified changes/deviations to an RN or provider, and documents identified changes. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. Additional duties as assigned Work Schedule: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Education Debt Repayment Program (EDRP): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Physical Requirements: The population of male and female Veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. 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 don protective clothing in isolation situations or 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, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/01/2024. The Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN), GS-7 performs more complex nursing assignments within their setting. Basic Requirements in addition to above: 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. Preferred Experience: 1 year general surgery experience preferred 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-7. The GS-7 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment.(a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN.(b) Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans.(c) Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations.(d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels.(e) Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate.(f) Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision.(g) Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice.(h) Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas.(i) Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff.(j) Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision.(k) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. 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-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7.

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 Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 South Lincoln Avenue Lebanon, PA 17042 US
• Name: Tessy Wigfield
• Phone: 570-550-2889
• Email: [email protected]