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.
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: a. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. b. 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. 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 d. 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). GS-6: Must meet all requirements at the GS-5 grade level AND the following: (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. Preferred Qualifications: Three to five years Primary Care experience is preferable. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 6.
VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Hickory Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) currently has (1) one opening in Primary Care. The LPN provides effective education to patients and or family members in relation to disease process, medication and or prescribed treatment regimes. The LPN demonstrates active collaboration and communication with PACT (Patient, Primary Care Provider, RN Care Coordinator and Medical Support Assistant) and larger team (family/caregiver, internal and community-based services and disciplines involved in providing care to the patient). Duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: Must demonstrate the ability to observe, identify and respond to the Veteran's needs for nursing, medication, point-of-care testing, and equipment-assisted care and to recognize deviations from normal. Responsible for Veteran and Family/Caregiver assessment for health literacy and educational needs, including health coaching and provision of education; and is self-directed. Completes the Health Promotion/clinical reminders as appropriate, documents accordingly. Performs care that is demographically and environmentally appropriate; and uses techniques to de-escalate disruptive patients appropriately. Ongoing, continuous care of assigned panel(s) of Veterans. Participating in team performance improvements and sustainment activities to optimize team efficiency care delivery with Veterans. Manage communications and facilitating safe transitions of Veterans between the PACT's site of care and other health care settings, using informal and formal communication methods, as appropriate. Providing health education and health coaching on wellness, disease prevention, chronic disease management, and self-management skills with Veterans, Family and Caregivers. Manage clinic workflow; ensuring Veterans are placed in examination rooms in a timely manner, and providing direction with Veterans as they move through. Assesses, records, and reports vital signs, neurological signs, weight, and blood glucose levels. Appropriately prioritizes patient needs as routine, urgent, or emergent in the clinic setting and modifies patient care/treatment as needed. Serves as a resource for complex/specialized procedures (i.e. suture removal, staple removal, wound care and clinic specific procedures, such performing EKGs, nebulizer treatments, assisting for set up of joint injections, and prepping for toenail removal. Assists with diagnostic procedures that include preparing the patient, setting up sterile field and instrumentation, and monitoring the patient's condition. Collaborates with the PACT team and other interdisciplinary services in the development, implementation, and evaluation of patient care. Exercises independent technical judgement and possesses a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles and science of practical nursing. Duties include following up on abnormal results with the provider and educating patients/families on disease management and anticipated plan of care. Active participant in quality improvement projects/hospital committees/Unit Based Council to promote evidence-based practice and performance improvement in the clinic setting. Demonstrates engagement by regular attendance at committee meetings and providing committee updates during monthly staff meetings. Assists Nurse Manager with planning and organizing specialized unit projects e.g. Mobile flu clinic, injection clinic, and walk-in clinic. Work Schedule: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Recruitment Incentive: May be eligible for highly qualified applicants. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Mr. Onnie Green , 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