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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Licensed Vocational Nurse - CLC (EDRP Approved) Near Waco, TX

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 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]. Exceptions include:
  (1) 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.
  (2) 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.
  (3) 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).

Grade Determinations:

• GS-03: 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-04: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-04 if they meet any of the following criteria:
  • 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-05:
  • Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-04 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.
• GS-06:
  • Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-05 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.
  • 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:

• Evidence of Lean Belt training or experience
• Charge Nurse/preceptor experience
• Professional Governance experience
• Other role-related technical skills

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.

Additional information in the Education section of this announcement.

Responsibilities:

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

CLINICAL PRACTICE

• Performs and documents focused assessment and reports abnormal findings to the Charge Nurse, Nurse Manager and/or RN Team Leader.
• As the Charge Nurse, the LVN within their scope of practice, effectively assigns, manages and directs other LVNs and Nurses' Aides in the delivery of patient/resident care. The LVN demonstrates the ability to assign patients/residents care needs and the capability of the staff to meet those needs.
• Demonstrates a basic 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.
• The LVN demonstrates technique in performing, reporting, and recording assigned nursing care, including, but not limited to:
  • Administers oxygen therapy
  • Medication administration to include IV medication if certified
  • Completes clinical reminders with appropriate consults and alerts as indicated
  • Ensures medications/supplies are not expired and removed from inventory
  • Accurately performs delegated procedures and treatments
  • Assists with minor procedures, including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment, positioning patient, ensuring comfort and privacy.
  • EKG, lab draws
  • Data collection and documentation intervention of patient visit in applicable nursing note.
  • Based on the patient's goals, reinforces patient and family health education, to include self-management, prevention and wellness.
  • Assists in medication reconciliation. Notifies the provider of changes.
  • Measures, records vital signs and enters them in CPRS. Reports all significant deviations to the RN and/or health care provider immediately.
  • Applies skin tests and measures and documents results
  • Visual acuity tests
  • Closes encounters daily
  • Completes daily check of the AED.
  • Complete the Blood Glucose meter check daily, as applicable
• Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication. Demonstrates proficiency in utilizing the Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) system to administer medication to individual or a group of patients safely and efficiently.
• Identifies urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance and intervenes as directed when appropriate.
• Technically proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties, treatments to include the use of specialized instruments/equipment.
• Takes initiative in identifying the need to modify patient care plans and considers physical, emotional and social factors.

COMMUNICATION

• Demonstrates basic skill in identifying the individual's level of understanding and teaching the client and/or significant other about the basic concepts to his/her disease process, utilizing the standards of care and documenting client's response.
• Provides verbal and/or written information in a timely manner that is accurate, using clear and precise communication methods to ensure that customers understand.
• Makes observations and documents care and the patient's response. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention.
• Basic knowledge in the use of various computer packages to enter and retrieve electronic data, i.e., CPRS, VISTA, mailman, leave requests, and patient information (progress notes, patient education, etc.).
• Demonstrates knowledge of human behavior, motivations, and reactions to situations and uses this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family and other staff members. Demonstrates courteous, compassionate, caring, and respectful behavior when interacting with all others.
• Displays an attitude of caring and courtesy toward all veterans and their families by treating them as customers, greeting them with a smile, referring to them by name, responding quickly to their needs, maintaining confidentiality, and treating them always with dignity and respect.

Work Schedule: Rotating weekends/holidays; available tours include 7:30am - 4:00pm, 7:30am - 8:00pm, 3:30pm - 12:00am, 11:30pm - 8:00am, 7:30pm - 8:00am
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: Licensed Vocational Nurse - CLC (EDRP Approved) / PD00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN17EDRP2@VA.GOV, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary