---

Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Licensed Practical Nurse - Outpatient Geriatric PACT Near Tacoma, WA

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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.
  • Transcripts must be submitted at time of application. Conferral of degree(s) must be stated on transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
  • Exceptions include:
    • Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.
    • Health care education in the military service or training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction.
• Licensure: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth 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).

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-3

None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4

Candidates may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; 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.

GS-5

• Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.
• Employees assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
  • 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 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.

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.
• Employees assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
  • Proficient in initiating, performing and completing 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 recognize, report and record relevant patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse or physician 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 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/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. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers.
  • Knowledge/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: Minimum LPN experience of at least 3 years, 1 year Geriatrics experience

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13 II-G13-1 APPENDIX G13. LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD

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: Heavy lifting, 45, pounds and over; Straight , 6 hours; Pushing, 2 hours; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking, 6 hours; Standing, 2 hours; Repeated bending, 6 hours; Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Visual Acuity 20/30 corrected; Working with hands in water; Working closely with others

Responsibilities:

Geriatrics and Extended Care provides outpatient care for Veterans with acute and chronic health conditions with diverse culture and religious/gender orientation. Veterans may need dementia, rehabilitation, long term, palliative and/or hospice care

Nursing Care:

• Knowledgeable of elder abuse and the heightened risk for abuse in the geriatric population, observe for subtle signs and symptoms, and reports immediately to the outpatient RN/MD if there are reason or evidence of abuse.
• Accountable to adhere to external-reviewer standards (The Joint Commission), policies, procedures, standards of care, and standards of practice.
• Performs 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.
• Assists with the scheduling of patient care within the service line and/or medical center. This includes helping schedule Veterans as needed, refers for timely scheduling and after training, might include helping obtain a Primary Care Management assignment and/or entering the Veteran into and electronic wait list.
• Collects Veteran data including observation of Veteran status and offers information for the plan of care to include:
  • Checks in Veterans with Vital Signs, oxygen saturation, and weights.
  • Completes clinical reminders as appropriate.
• Recognizes subtle deviations from normal and/or changes in the Veteran's I resident's condition or response to nursing care. He/she reports changes in Veteran's I resident's condition or response to nursing care to the RN or Licensed Independent Practitioner.
• Performs aspects of Veteran education as delegated by the RN which may include Blood Pressure machine, finger stick blood glucose machine and nebulizer machine.
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and perform these 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.
• Administers medications according to the 5 Rights; the right patient, drug, time, dose, and route.
• Demonstrates ability to monitor and identify patients' response to drugs through documentation iii. Reports all discrepancies promptly to the RN.
• Demonstrates knowledge of routine medications, as well as those requiring special monitoring.
• Withholds medications when indicated by change in patient condition or behavior.
• Administers a variety of pain control measures and records effectiveness. (understands pain control to include alternatives I options to medications)
• Identifies Veterans needing immunizations and administers them as needed.
• Maintains medications and medication cart per policy (ie. vials labeled when opened, expired medications are removed).
• Assists with wound care including dressing changes and irritations.
• Performs the following tasks: chaperoning exams, suture removal, oxygen administration, respiratory treatments, oral/pharyngeal suctioning, ostomy care, utilizes Bladder Volume instrument appropriately, neuro sign checks as assigned, implementing seizure precautions and urinary retention catheter insertion, and/or removal.

Safety:

• Demonstrates adherence to safety guidelines in accordance with training classes, written procedures and supervisory instructions; the utilization of safety equipment and other devices/procedures necessary for protection; and the reporting of unsafe/unhealthful working conditions or unsafe equipment.
• Maintains a safe/clean work environment.
• Selects and employs appropriate lifting/moving/transfer techniques/devices.
• Selects and operates commonly used equipment per his/her competency check-off education.
• Practices and role-models to others to follow infection control, to include Isolation precautions.
• Completes mandatory safety, new and standard equipment, and organizational and service line annual reviews in a timely manner.
• Maintains and updates individual activity/in service education record.
• Accesses, utilizes, and orients others how to access unit resources: MSDS manual, Medical Center/ Nursing Service policies/memorandums, computer menus, and patient education materials.

Work Schedule: 8AM - 4:30PM Monday Through Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 0000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Please contact the VISN 20 EDRP Coordinator Stacy Hermann @ V20CompensationTeam@va.gov
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary