Licensed Vocational Nurse - RISE - EDRP Approved

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 48,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Waco, TX seeks a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) to provide patient care in accordance with VA standards, under supervision of a RN/MD. The role requires full active licensure and adherence to nursing credentials, including medication administration and clinical care within a hospital setting.

Candidates must meet education requirements, be a U.S. citizen, and be prepared for rotating shifts with ongoing professional development, infection control

Qualifications

• Graduate of a state-approved vocational nursing program and/or NLNAC accreditation at program completion.
• Full active and unrestricted LVN/LPN licensure in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Perform and document focused nursing assessments and report abnormal findings to RN/Manager.
• Coordinate care as Charge Nurse within scope of LVN/LPN practice and supervise other aides.
• Administer medications per policy, monitor patient responses, and document changes.

Education

Graduate of a school of vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or NLNAC

Licensure: Full active LVN/LPN license in US territory

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.

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 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: 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 LVN licensure will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment
• 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
• 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 vocational nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or District of Columbia
• English Language Proficiency: Licensed vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English
• 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
• LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g. - medication administration)
• however - completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved
• GS-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(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.(d) LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level
• however - they are expected to exercise greater judgment - require less supervision - and to operate in accordance with all established policies - procedure - and techniques
• 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
• 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.(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
• (g) 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
• 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
• **Qualifications continued in Education Section below
• 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: 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/
• GRADE DETERMINATION CONTINUED IN THE EDUCATION SECTION BELOW.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties as Assigned - but not limited to: CLINICAL PRACTICE Performs and documents focused assessment and reports abnormal findings to the Charge Nurse - Nurse Manager and/or RN Team Leader
• As the Charge Nurse - the LVN within their scope of practice - effectively assigns - manages and directs other LVNs and Nurses' Aides in the delivery of patient/resident care
• The LVN demonstrates the ability to assign patients/residents care needs and the capability of the staff to meet those needs
• Demonstrates a basic 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
• The LVN demonstrates technique in performing - reporting - and recording assigned nursing care - including - but not limited to: Administers oxygen therapy - Medication administration to include IV medication if certified - and completes clinical reminders with appropriate consults and alerts as indicated
• COMMUNICATION Demonstrates basic skill in identifying the individual's level of understanding and teaching the client and/or significant other about the basic concepts to his/her disease process - utilizing the standards of care and documenting client's response
• Provides verbal and/or written information in a timely manner that is accurate - using clear and precise communication methods to ensure that customers understand
• Makes observations and documents care and the patient's response
• Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention
• Basic knowledge in the use of various computer packages to enter and retrieve electronic data - i.e. - CPRS - VISTA - mailman - leave requests - and patient information (progress notes - patient education - etc.)
• COLLABORATION/COLLEGIALITY Demonstrates a variety of basic communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with internal and external customers
• Practices good customer service in all work activities - displays courtesy - empathy - tact - and respect for patients - families/significant others - and hospital staff - and remains calm in stressful situations
• Completes orientation and accepts responsibility for maintaining clinical competence and knowledge of current nursing practice
• Seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills
• PROGRAM/ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS Supports the mission - vision - and values of the Healthcare system
• Completes annual nursing mandatory reviews and continuous learning requirements
• Demonstrates understanding for age- and population-specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran
• Complies with infection control practices - such as hand washing and wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment
• Work Schedule: Rotating shifts - weekends/holidays: 330pm - 12:00am (midnight) or 1130pm - 0800am - occasional rotating shifts - rotating weekends/holidays Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• 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) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 53049-F - 53050-F - 53051-F - 53052-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized