Licensed Vocational Nurse (CLC) - EDRP Authorized

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Temple (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP eligible

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a licensed practical nurse (LPN/LVN) in the Temple, Texas area to provide high-quality patient care under RN/MD supervision.

The position may involve education to patients and families on disease processes and medications, as well as assisting in routine and emergency nursing tasks. Applicants must have graduated from an approved LPN/LVN program and hold full, active licensure in the United States.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an approved practical or vocational nursing program.
• Full, active LPN/LVN licensure in the US (state, territory, or DC).
• English proficiency for direct patient care.

Responsibilities

• Provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with various health conditions.
• Educate patients and/or families about common disease processes, medications, and prescribed treatments.
• Assist in emergency measures and resuscitation when indicated and communicate changes to RN/MD.

Skills

Lean Belt training/experience

Education

LPN/LVN education (approved school)

Job description

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. 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. 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.
• Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• 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-03: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-04: 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-05: 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.
• 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.
• Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review.

The GS-06 qualification standards are listed in the Education Section of this announcement.

Preferred Experience

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

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

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.

Physical Requirements

Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Straight pulling (1-2 hours); Pushing (1 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking (8-10 hours); Standing (8-10 hours); Repeated bending (.5 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Mental & emotional stability required; Simple grasping (2-4 hours); Sitting (8 hours); Fine manipulation (4-8 hours); Twisting (2 hours).

Note

38 U.S.C. 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans preference to external applicants for appointments made from this announcement during FY 27.