The GS-7 Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) provides comprehensive practical nursing care in specialty clinics at VA Palo Alto Health Care System. Duties include performing complex diagnostic procedures, administering medications, and assisting with surgical procedures. The LVN demonstrates proficiency in caring for patients with chronic and acute conditions, utilizes clinical judgment, and follows safety protocols.

Duties

MAJOR DUTIES: Utilizes judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments: Demonstrates self-direction in prioritizing and completing assignments. Evaluates patients in a timely manner and takes appropriate action. Proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations Has knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures: Serves as a resource for complex/specialized procedures such as cystoscopes, laryngoscopes, lesion removal, fine needle biopsy/aspirations, vasectomies, paracentesis, cast removal, and transrectal prostate biopsies. Independently performs electrocardiograms, places ambulatory electrocardiography devices using correct electrode placement, and transmits data electronically upon removal. Independently performs urodynamic studies, post void residual scans, Foley/suprapubic catheter changes, and penile injections in Specialty Nurse Clinic. Utilizes judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines: Demonstrates sound judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines and ability to plan patient care and set priorities. Recognizes and monitors age-specific and/or cultural needs of patients. Initiates and participates in preventive health screening and instruction Observes, identifies, and responds to patients' needs for care, including medication and equipment assisted care, and recognizes deviations from normal: Consistently distinguishes, evaluates, and reports subtle changes in patient status, and initiates appropriate action. Has knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of RN or MD, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions, as directed. Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to promote positive relationships, communication, and socialization skills Accurately performs highly comprehensive and complex nursing treatments and procedures: Evaluates patients' needs for medication, and prepares, administers, and documents prescribed medications, per protocol. Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during surgical procedures Accurately recognizes, reports, and records relevant patient information: Assists with computer check-in and check-out of clinic appointments. Correctly documents in medical record using CPRS/GUI, BCMA and VISTA computer programs Assists in the overall clinic management, functions such as: Contributes to smooth operation of clinic by consistently ensuring that support and administrative tasks are carried out. Maintains inventory and par levels of specialty equipment/supplies. Assists Nurse Manager, Assistant Nurse Manager and specialty clinic team members in quality improvement activities Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 02925-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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: GS-07 Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-6 LVN/LPN. Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, 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. Ability to make astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately document care delivered and patient's response to care. 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. Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. Ability to assist individuals or groups of patients and their families in taking an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. 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. Ability to support the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or nonmedical staff in patient care delivery. Ability to perform work of considerable difficulty and responsibility under general supervision, exercising independent technical judgments and applying comprehensive working knowledge of practical nursing principles. Preferred Experience: Current Basic Life Support Provider Card Ambulatory Care Experience References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: Andrew Dalton Lowe
• Phone: (650) 694-6000 X15121
• Email: [email protected]