PRACTICAL NURSE- PRIMARY CARE
Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Location: Albany
Posted on: October 15, 2024
|
|
Job Description:
Summary 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.
Responsibilities The duties of the LPN include but are not limited
to: Participates in assessing, planning, implementing, and
evaluating patient care by interviewing patients of variable
populations, performing a general systems appraisal of the
patient's condition, collecting objective and subjective data.
Collaborates with the Registered Nurse/Provider in developing and
implementing a plan of care individualized to carry out the needs
of the patient. Contributes to the interdisciplinary team in the
development, implementation and evaluation of the patient's
treatment and follow-up health care. Collaborates with members of
other services regarding changes in patients' condition, laboratory
results, responses to treatment plan and other pertinent parameters
of care. Demonstrates 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.
Modifies the plan of care in accordance with recognized nursing
standards and prescribed treatment. Meets patients' needs by direct
physical care and psychosocial intervention and by assuming
responsibility for nursing management of unstable patients whose
nursing care needs are not predictable. Demonstrates 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. Makes necessary judgments prior to preparing and
administering prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous,
intramuscular and/or intravenous), recognizing side effects and
contraindications, and promptly and accurately documents noted
changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO.
Provides patient/significant other instruction regarding common
medications. Performs support duties for diagnostic procedures,
which include preparing the patient, patient education, assisting
in the diagnostic examination, preparing specimens, preparing and
passing instruments, and monitoring the patient's condition.
Recognizes emergency situations, responding promptly and
instituting appropriate actions. Supports the patient and/or family
members/significant other in the integration of the patient care
plan toward achievement of discharge objectives. 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. Serves as a
preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced
LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs and actively seeks out educational
opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new
knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing
practice. Work Schedule: Full time - M-F 8:00-4:30, with potential
for off tour and weekends Telework: Not available Virtual: This is
not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not
authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to
apply for incentive. Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov the EDRP
Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change
of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not
required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S.
Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected
for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to
urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with
VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after
12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You
may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to
background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be
required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass
pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal
influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department
of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in
the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a
requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care
Personnel (HCP) - See Additional Information below for details.
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. 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. 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). 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.
Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any
of the criteria in paragraphs (a) through (c) below: (a) Six months
of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or (b) 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 (c) Graduation from an approved
school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5 (a)Completion of at
least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or
equivalent. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. (f) 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 (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 Experience: Clinic experience highly desired. References:
VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G13 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. Physical
Requirements: Heavy Lifting (35 lbs and over); Heavy Carrying (35
lbs and over); Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour); Pushing (1 - 2
hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands
required; Walking (up to 4 hours);Standing (up to 4 hours);
Kneeling (up to 2 hours); Repeated bending (up to 4 hours); Both
legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination
simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13 to 16; Far vision
correctable to 20/20 in one eye and to 20/40 in the other; Ability
to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of
colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional/Mental stability.
Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your
application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on
education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities,
schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal
employment. You can verify your education here:
http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign
education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a
Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to
receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:
https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional Information The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (or
the Act) prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from
requesting applicant criminal history record information before
extending a conditional or tentative offer of employment. In
accordance with 5 U.S.C - 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R - 920.201 certain
positions are exempt from the provisions of the Act. Applicants who
believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Act, may
submit a written complaint within 30 calendar days of the date of
the alleged non-compliance to VA at vacofairchanceact@va.gov.
Applicant written complaints should include the following:
Administration name: Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA),
Veterans Health Administration (VHA), National Cemetery
Administration (NCA) or VA Central Office (VACO) (for example,
Human Resources Service Center). Office name, employee name and
contact information or contractor who made contact (if known). Date
of contact. Details regarding the job opportunity announcement
applied to, and copies of any documents or other evidence related
to the complaint. Visit Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer
(OCHCO) (va.gov) for more information. Receiving Service Credit or
Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual
leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on
the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave
accrual, based on prior work experience or military service
experience. This credited service can be used in determining the
rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested
and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional
vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not
confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities
to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title
38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment
authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care
personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against
COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e.,
medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote
workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you
will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit
documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The
agency will provide additional information regarding what
information or documentation will be needed and how you can request
a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the
reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online
or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out
to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity
Announcement.
Keywords: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Meriden , PRACTICAL NURSE- PRIMARY CARE, Healthcare , Albany, Connecticut
Click
here to apply!
|