Gastroenterology Licensed Practical Nurse

The Gastroenterology LPN performs duties in a manner that promotes qualify of health care, positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. Assigned tasks require basic technical competence and skill. The LPN is expected to function at the fully successful level for all key elements at the GS-5 level. The GS-6 is the full performance level for the LPN for providing practical nursing care with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.

Qualifications:

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.

GS-06 - 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.

• 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 a 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, 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. 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.

Responsibilities:

Duties include but not limited to:

• Responsible for performing direct and indirect care for patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal problems or who are undergoing therapeutic and investigative procedures.
• Set up and breakdown of endoscopy equipment/instrumentation and supplies,.
• Provides a clean and safe patient care environment.
• Provides technical support.
• Anticipates the needs and communicates effectively with all endoscopy team members.
• Properly positions patients prior, during and after procedures, collection, labeling and recording of specimens.
• Accountable for RME/scope troubleshooting.
• Responsible for performing safety checks, cleaning, disinfecting, or calibrating scopes or other endoscopic equipment and supplies.
• Perform peripheral vein for IV insertion, phlebotomy, 12 Lead EKG, vital signs, Point of Care glucose testing, and timely and safe patient transport.
• Assists in administrative functions of the Unit which include receiving phone calls and visitors, patient and procedure scheduling, admitting patients pre-procedure, pre and post procedure education, competing encounters, maintain Infection Control surveillance and collecting Performance Improvement data.
• Position requires fulfillment of a fair rotation in the on-call assignment.

The VA West Palm Beach Healthcare System provides you with outstanding health care, trains America's future health care providers, and conducts important medical research. Facilities include our Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center, VA operated clinics in Port St. Lucie and Delray and 5 community-based outpatient clinics in Boca Raton, Fort Pierce, Okeechobee, Stuart, and Vero Beach. To learn more about the services each location offers, visit the VA West Palm Beach health services page. The VA West Palm Beach Healthcare System includes a 108-bed community living center (nursing home) and a 13-bed blind rehabilitation service, which is the referral center for blind and visually impaired Veterans throughout Florida.

The VA West Palm Beach Healthcare System is one of the leading health care systems serving Veterans in the VA Sunshine Health Care Network. We're an innovative care center within the Veterans Integrated Service Network 8 (VISN 8), which includes medical centers and clinics in Florida, Georgia, and the Caribbean.

Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
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)
Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday-Friday, 8 hour staggered, with on call weekends and holiday.
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Salary : $62,224