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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Practical Nurse Near Tuscaloosa, AL

Qualifications:

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: Written and Spoken
• Physical Standards: All applicants must meet the physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to employment may be required.
• 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.
• 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. 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. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A, 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-3

• None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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. 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.

Preferred experience:

• Ambulatory or Primary Care

Please refer to the assessment questionnaire for complete qualification standards expected at the GS- 03, 04, 05 and 06 level

References: VA Handbook 5005/27, Part II, Appendix G13, LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated April 10, 2003.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.

Responsibilities:

FUNCTIONS/GENERAL DUTIES: The PACT LPN performs, reports, and records assigned nursing care in Primary Care, including but not limited to the following duties.

• Organizes work so that all essential activities are carried out.
• Document nursing care; gather data for the completion of assessment on chronic diseases and preventive screening. Records data in patient's chart via CPRS consistent with charting guidelines.
• Administers oral, IM, SC, and rectal medications according to policy, and observes for therapeutic effects and untoward reactions. Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication.
• Takes vital signs (TPR, B/P), measures height and weight and documents per policy in CPRS.
• Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance, and initiates appropriate emergency interventions.
• Performs EKGs and notifies the RN/CRNP/MD of findings and documents per policy.
• Uses motivational interviewing and health coaching to guide patients to self-management.
• Inventories supplies and medications, removes outdated items, orders replacement for stock items and makes appropriate recommendations for increasing or decreasing stock level.
• Completes clinical reminders with appropriate consults and alerts as indicated.
• Delegated procedures and treatments by the professional nurse.
• Checks and documents integrity and effectiveness of emergency equipment per policy.
• Adheres to principles of infection control, safety, and practices standard precautions, wearing protective clothing as appropriate, i.e., masks, goggles, gowns, gloves, etc., according to safety and infection control policies and procedures always.
• Interacts and communicates appropriately with patients and family members.
• Demonstrates professional behavior (i.e., respect, civility, ability to accept constructive criticism), effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrates initiative in assisting the Teamlet.
• As a preceptor, assists in the orientation, educating, and training of less experienced LPN/LVN.
• Maintains confidentiality of electronic, written, and/ or verbal patient information.
• Maintains a work environment that honors diversity.
• Serves as a resource and advocate in the protection of patient and family rights.
• Demonstrates understanding of age- and population-specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran.
• Based on the patient's goals, provides patient and family health education, to include self management, prevention, and wellness.
• Completes mandatory reviews, including motivational interviewing, to promote patient self management toward individualized life plan of care.
• Supports patient-driven care in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner, using evidence based principles.
• Monitors the schedule and brings any potential access problems to the provider and/ or Supervisor's attention.
• Reviews the daily schedule to determine those patients failing to report for clinic appointment. Proper documentation mu s t be noted in the record and incumbent ensures provider properly reviews the record for determination of need to reschedule.
• Identifies delays or problems in processing veteran's medical care requests and appointments and as appropriate, will review t he case, determine the problem o r bottleneck and initiate action(s) to correct the problem and expedite the case by providing guidance to team members.
• Reviews incomplete encounter reports and works with the other members of the team to ensure that all data is completed in a timely manner.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary