This Licensed Practical Nurse position is located within the Primary Care Service at the White River Junction VA Medical Center located at White River Junction, Vermont. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

Duties

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 The Licensed Practical Nurse in an Inpatient or Outpatient setting is a member of the health care team who functions with a high degree of independence, is self-directed, displays initiative and good judgement as well as leadership implementing nursing care. Based on assignment and grade, duties may include but are not limited to: Accurately administers and records medications and treatments. Determines need, contra-indications, allergies, and identifying and recording reactions/interactions; Recognizes the pharmacological implications of medication administration for various age groups. Demonstrates knowledge of the nursing process in administering patient care by: Collection of data and observing to determine patient needs; Planning patient care based on needs; Carrying out a developed plan of care; Evaluate and adjust plan of care to meet patient needs; Recognizes age-specific variations of clients and makes appropriate interventions. Recognizes and quickly assesses emergency situations and makes appropriate and timely interventions. Performs procedures accurately, completely, and safely according to White River Junction VAMC Nursing Practice and Policy. Functions as a member of the multidisciplinary team in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the patient's treatment and discharge plan. Performs nursing care associated with the treatment of wounds facilitating healing and prevention of infection. Charts according to White River Junction VAMC guidelines and documents observation and nursing care administered with patient response on progress notes. Reports pertinent information to appropriate personnel during the course of the day. Receives, discusses, and communicates patient information upon transfer or change of tour of duty. Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients to elicit feelings and attitudes. Exercises supervision as delegated by Nurse Manager or designee. Promotes working relationships based upon communication. Communicates effectively and establishes positive therapeutic relationships with patients. Creates an atmosphere of mutual trust, acceptance, and self-worth. Conducts self with professional demeanor by unconditionally providing basic courteous behavior to the patient and family. Organizes care for the selected patients and/or group of patients by: Evaluating the overall assignment and setting priorities for each patient. Monitoring the clinical status of each patient throughout the tour of duty. Resets priorities according to changes in patient's condition. Assesses client needs based upon age-specific variation which may impact upon care. Demonstrates initiative, self-direction, and good judgment by: Ability to plan and organize with little assistance. Using good judgment in selecting appropriate application of procedures and guidelines. Seeks learning opportunities to improve performance. Participates in orientation of new employees and in-service educational programs. Performs additional duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday- Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F1017 for GS-03; F1018 for GS-04; F1019 for GS-05; and F1020 for GS-06. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. 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. Preferred Experience: Experience in busy Primary Care or Ambulatory clinic preferred.

Requirements

Qualifications

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-3: None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g. medication administration); however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved. GS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or (b) 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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. (d) LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. GS-5: (a) Completion of at least one (1) year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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 approval 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. (e) 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. (f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. (g) 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: (a) 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. (b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. (f) 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. (g) 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. (h) 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. (i) 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. (j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 White River Junction VA Medical Center 215 North Main St. White River Jct., VT 05009 US
• Name: Jessica Steed
• Phone: (802) 295-9363 X2021
• Email: [email protected]