At the full performance level, the incumbent performs assigned duties under general supervision to promote quality health care and positive customer service. Responsibilities include administering medications, providing basic nursing care, assisting in patient care planning, ensuring patient safety, collaborating with healthcare teams, and handling complex diagnostic support. Follows established policies and procedures, seeking higher-level review for complex practices and emergency situations.

Duties

Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf We're excited to invite you to a vibrant community where rich history meets modern living. In San Antonio, you'll enjoy a diverse culinary scene, top-rated schools, and a thriving job market. With affordable living and the scenic beauty of the River Walk, San Antonio offers the perfect blend of work and play. Make the move and be a part of a dynamic city full of endless opportunities and warm hospitality. Welcome to your new home in San Antonio! At Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital, we are dedicated to providing top-notch healthcare to our nation's heroes. Located in the heart of San Antonio, Texas, our state-of-the-art facility offers cutting-edge medical services, compassionate care, and a supportive community. Be part of a team that honors the legacy of Audie L. Murphy by delivering excellence in patient care and advancing medical innovation. Together, we make a difference in the lives of our veterans. Join us and be a part of something truly meaningful! GS-3 (Entry Level) Perform basic nursing care under close supervision Administer medications and follow procedures as per guidelines Assist in the care of patients with predictable health care needs Report patient data and assist in developing care plans Implement patient care plans within legal and ethical parameters Identify and report alterations in patient responses Provide basic patient and family education Ensure patient safety and follow all relevant safety standards Communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare teams GS-4 Perform nursing care with greater judgment and less supervision Administer medications and perform nursing tasks as per established policies Assist in developing and implementing patient care plans Identify and report changes in patient condition Provide patient education and assist in coordinating resources Ensure compliance with safety standards and promote a safe environment Communicate and collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary healthcare teams Supervise nursing care provided by other LVNs or unlicensed personnel GS-5 Provide a full range of practical nursing care with general supervision Administer medications and document patient responses Recognize and respond to emergency situations Educate patients and families about disease processes and treatments Coordinate patient care and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams Ensure patient safety and adhere to safety protocols Supervise and train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and Nursing Assistants Participate in the development of patient care plans GS-6 Perform all nursing duties with technical proficiency and general supervision Carry out complex nursing procedures with minimal guidance Recognize, report, and document patient condition changes Prepare and administer prescribed medications and treatments Identify and respond to urgent or emergent patient care situations Educate and train less experienced staff and serve as a preceptor Establish positive relationships with patients and families Participate in and contribute to patient care planning and delivery Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm (Tour of Duty and location may change due to patient care needs) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. 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. VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C. 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). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13, 4/10/2003 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. Physical Requirements: This position requires Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, Straight pulling (1 hour), Pushing (1-3 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (4 hours), Standing (2-7 hours), Kneeling (2 hours), Repeated bending (2 hours), Climbing, use of legs and arms, Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Specific visual requirement of 20/40 DVA; corrected, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted), Sitting (8 hours), Simple grasping (2-4 hours) Fine manipulation (including keyboarding 4-6 hours), Twisting (2 hours), Mental and emotional stability. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, 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-3: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. 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 (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. 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 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. 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. **QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS CONTINUED BELOW IN EDUCATION SECTION

Education

• GS-6:
  • 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.
  • 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/LVN 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 LPNs/LVNs 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.

Preferred Experience:

• PE1: PACT Experience / Primary Care Experience
• PE2: Emergency Room / Triage Experience

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.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.

Physical Requirements:

• • Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds
  • Light lifting, under 15 pounds
  • Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds
  • Light carrying, under 15 pounds
  • Straight pulling, 1-hour
  • Pushing, 1-3 hours
  • Reaching above shoulder
  • Use of fingers
  • Both hands required
  • Walking, 4-hours
  • Standing, 2-7 hours
  • Kneeling, 2-hours
  • Repeated bending, 2-hours
  • Climbing, use of legs and arms
  • Both legs required
  • Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
  • Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
  • Specific visual requirement, 20/40 DVA; corrected
  • Both eyes required
  • Hearing (aid may be permitted)
  • Ability to distinguish basic colors
  • Sitting, 8-hours
  • Simple grasping, 2-4 hours
  • Fine manipulation (including keyboarding), 2-4 hours
  • Twisting, 2-hours
  • Mental and emotional stability

• Environmental Factors:

  • Outside and inside
  • Excessive heat
  • Excessive cold
  • Dust
  • Slippery or uneven walking surfaces
  • Working with others
  • Working alone
  • Exposure to tuberculosis and other diseases
  • Working in patients' homes
  • Exposure to TB & other diseases
  • Working in patients homes

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/.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Contacts

• Address Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78229 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]