Job opening: Practical Nurse (Primary Care)
Salary: $40 419 - 63 766 per year
Published at: Jul 26 2024
Employment Type: Full-time
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. Program 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
VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4
Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf
Major Duties to include but not limited to:
Communicates respectfully and works effectively with administrative staff, the health care team, unit staff, residents, and visitors.
Use judgement in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines, varying the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on resident's condition.
Prepares and administers prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, inhaled medications, controlled substances, intravenous piggybacks, continuous intravenous infusions, and injectable medications and suppositories according to policy and procedure. Document in accordance with established policy and procedures.
Initiates, maintains, and discontinues IV therapy and intermittent intravenous devises. Administers IV piggyback medications via continuous infusion or intermittent infusion devise according to medical center policy and procedures.
Counts controlled substances with an RN and verifies current count on the Pyxis Inventory of Controlled Substances Record."
Reports all untoward patient incidents, examples: medication errors, falls, etc., to Charge Nurse/Nurse Manager, and initiates patient incident report.
Observes and documents resident change in condition; examples such as bleeding, vomiting, fainting, skin changes, behavioral concerns, etc. to the Charge Nurse or RN.
Initiates emergency response team: Rapid Response Team (RRT), Code Blue, Stroke-Cardiac alerts and responds to emergency situations including cardiopulmonary arrest, choking, and disaster or fire drills.
As an interdisciplinary team member, provides input into the care planning process, assists and provides teaching in activities of daily living (ADLs) to residents. Provides or reinforces resident/family/significant other teaching related to medications, disease process, procedures, and self-care activities. Participates in more complex teaching for resident self-care, such as diabetic care, self-catheterization, etc. and in restorative program based on the needs of resident.
Performs treatments and procedures utilizing established nursing care plans and auxiliary equipment according to policy, including but not limited to: application of heat and cold, wound care, changing complex sterile andclean dressings, administering suppositories, cleansing and retention enemas, tube feedings, weights, vital signs, glucose finger sticks, specimen collection, intake and output, colostomy irrigation, oxygen, orthopedic traction, spirometry, nebulizer treatments, and standard 12 lead EKGs, and care of well-established tracheostomies and laryngectomies. Performs oropharyngeal, tracheostomy, and tracheal suctioning, and tracheostomy and laryngectomy care.
Performs resident care activities which include, but are not limited to: Restorative Care, oral and enteral feeding, bathing, bed making, lifting, turning, positioning and ambulating residents; oral, hair, nail and related care; and other related care of similar complexity such as care of urinary drainage appliances. Collects specimens such as urine, sputum, and stool for laboratory analysis. Provides range of motion exercises for dependent residents at least once per shift.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorize
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
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 #: 534-10834F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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 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. An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part.
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
None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-4
Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or L VN;
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;
OR,
Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques.
GS-5
Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.
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, Health Technicians 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/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
Completion of at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/L VN.
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/L VN 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 LPN s/L VN s 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: Outpatient Clinic or Physician Office Setting Experience Immunization/Vaccine Clinic Experience Employee/Occupational Health Experience.
Physical Requirements: 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.
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 Ralph H Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
109 Bee Street
Charleston, SC 29401
US
- Name: Arneda Terry
- Email: [email protected]
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