This Licensed Practical Nurse position is located within the Nursing Service ENT Specialty Clinic at the Togus VA Medical Center located in Togus, Maine. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

Duties

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf The incumbent serves as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and performs direct patient care and participates in activities that support safety on the unit and enable the program to meet its general requirements. The LPN has an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures/practices necessary for concentrated effort and self direction in carrying out the most complex nursing care assignments. The incumbent has a broader work experience with demonstrated skills sufficient to resolve a full range of nursing and patient care problems than employees at lower grades. This knowledge, skill, and experience is used to lead and develop LPN colleagues within the clinic to improve Veteran health and achieve performance standards. The LPN performs and documents all or part of the following duties in ambulatory care settings depending upon the scope and complexity of the practice and Veteran care needs Duties may include but are not limited to: Makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the Veteran's response; appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or medical provider of changes in the Veteran's condition requiring higher-level intervention. Participates in the pre-planning of care such as through huddles and follow-up of visits as indicated and participating in the prioritization and coordination of patient care and team communication. Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication; applies advanced knowledge and skill in preparation, administration, and documentation of commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and IV medications. Demonstrates self-direction by identifying and initiating laboratory testing needed for certain patient populations, such as but not limited to pre-procedure or pre-operative care. Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent Veteran care situations, seeks assistance, and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate. Provides patient and family health education, to include self-management, prevention and wellness. Performs basic administrative duties of answering the phone, taking messages, returning calls, scheduling appointments, and accessioning labs as needed. Identifies the health teaching needs and provides Veterans and families with structured educational programs according to established protocols. Performs additional duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00am - 04:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Available Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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 #: F03367 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service. This position is a AFGE Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by a special rate. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.

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. 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) at the time the program was completed by applicant. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. 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 Determinations: GS-7: Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-06 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-06 LPN/LVN. Knowledge and skills necessary to care out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery making astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes (both physical and emotional) in patient's conditions and taking the appropriate action. Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/OD in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments and appropriately recording patient's response to medications/treatments received. Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations. Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting health lifestyles for more positive 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. Exhibits skill, creativity, and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels. 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. Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Exercises independent technical judgments and applies a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. 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: Ambulatory Clinic Experience References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. NOTE: Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit. Although these positions are under the supervision of an RN and/or MD/DO, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision), as well as a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of patients.

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 Togus VA Medical Center 1 VA Center Augusta, ME 04330 US
• Name: Lenwit Belanger
• Phone: 781-687-2000 X6822
• Email: [email protected]