Licensed Practical Nurse

<p>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.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Duties include, but are not limited to: Provides patient care and assistance for complex, specialized patients including such measures as personal hygiene, positioning, elimination, and socialization in the completion of all direct patient care in the clinic setting. Initiates and collects patient data including MC reminders, vital signs, weights, oximetry, accu-checks, SLUMs, and the collection of specimens. Initiates and performs specialized nonstandard and complex procedures including urinary bladder scanning, oxygen therapy, nebulizer treatments, ostomy care, EKG, and spirometry. Initiates procedure preparation, adapting them to the patient's physical and emotional needs before, during and after procedures, observing and managing therapeutic or possible complications resulting from the procedure. Knowledgeably initiates and performs nursing measures to prevent complications by recognizing deviations and/or changes in patient conditions. Knowledgeably recognizes and responds/initiates emergency measures. Responds promptly to emergency situations in the clinic. Provides safe administration of medications in accordance with Medical Center's and Nursing Service policy and monitors side effects. Continues to keep updated on new medications. Prioritizes effectively and manages time productively in the clinical setting. Knowledgeably follows and utilizes the nurse protocols entering consults and orders when applicable. Assists with clinic planning including but not limited to pre-visit phone calls and virtual appointments. Works effectively with others and communicates in an appropriate, professional, and courteous manner. Demonstrates knowledge and application of interpersonal skills as a responsible member of the nursing and health care team. Explains to the patient and family treatment measures, tests and procedure preparations, and proper administration of medications. Provides patients with encouragement needed to comply with treatment plan and reassurance to assist in coping with illness. Documents in the patient's medical record observations of patient's physical and emotional status as well as responses to procedures performed and treatments rendered. Documents all data collected and nursing care provided. Reports all relevant patient information to clinic RN or provider. Demonstrates knowledge and application of the computer system and applicable technology (such as Electronic Medical Record, Wisconsin Immunization Record {WIR) VISTA). Communicates accurate, concise, and complete information to the providers in an independent and timely manner. Utilizes all communication methods as available with the PACT model on the assigned team (such as Instant Messaging, paging, phone, and VA Video Connect {VVC)). Actively participates in PACT team huddles, meetings and PACT functions when assigned to a PACT team. Responds to patient telephone calls in phone message manager, MyHealtheVet and CPRS alerts in a timely manner to address patient care needs, including same ­day access requests. Exhibits knowledge and judgment in recognizing changes in the patient's condition and initiates corrective interventions. Assists with rehabilitative aspects of patient care. Reinforcement of patient teaching. Actively contributes to the development and updating of patient CPRS records and promotes patient participation utilizing Whole Health principles in his treatment plan. Assists with clinic orientation of new employees, participates on Committee(s), and demonstrates constructive problem-solving skills. Assist with daily assignments that require floating throughout clinics as assignment by Nurse Manager or designee. Offers assistance to co-workers when needed and when own assignment has been completed. Initiates unit maintenance duties, and keeps a safe, clean area. Practices proper body mechanics, acting to prevent injury to self and others. Operates all specialized equipment in a safe manner, identifies and reports any potential safety hazards. Removes unsafe equipment from use. Initiates protective and safety measures, including recognition of patients exhibiting signs of confusion, sedation, and/or behaviors which are potentially dangerous to self and others. Prepares instruments as needed to maintain readiness for patient care. Orders supplies and maintains par levels for clinic flow efficiency. Additional clinic duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday: 8:15am - 4:45pm. Location: Madison West Clinic Telework/Virtual/Remote: This position is NOT eligible. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.<h3>Education</h3>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/. Qualifications Continue: 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. 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13The full performance level of this vacancy is GS06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS03 to GS06. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must comply with any Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. In the performance of duties, the incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.