Clarification from the agency

Open to the Public- First Area of Consideration - Current, Permanent, Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center employees including employees of the Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) and Community Based Outpatient Clinics. Second Area of Consideration- Current, Permanent, VA Nationwide employees.

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The Miami VA Healthcare System is looking for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-PACT Clinical Associate for it's Homestead VA Clinic located at 950 Krome Avenue, Suite 401 Homestead, FL 33030-4443. This position may require travel to various locations (e.g. Broward Outpatient Center, CBOCs, conferences)

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices. The LPN reports directly to the Nurse Manager or assigned supervisor. The incumbent works independently, with readily available guidance from an RN/HCP. Individuals in these positions are to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) uses a team based care approach to deliver quality care. Team-based care embraces the strong practice of teamwork among members dedicated to achieving the common goal of excellent comprehensive care for Veterans.

Other duties include but are not limited to:

• Promotes and demonstrates nursing concepts in the Medical Center. Works in collaboration with the Registered Nurse (RN), and or Health Care Provider (HCP).
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, Intramuscular, and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures.
• Accurately and consistently reports and records significant veteran information received from other team members and can analyze and implement modifications based on these reports.
• Utilizes skills to influence and communicate with difficult and challenging veterans and families.
• Practice good customer service in all work activities.
• Must be poised and articulate in communicating with people of varied educational levels and varied ethnic backgrounds.
• Documents patient care including plans, interventions , and evaluations appropriately.
• Initiates and monitors IV sites. Changes peripheral IV dressings. Hangs and monitors large volume premixed IV fluids and IV medication piggybacks. Monitors large volume IV infusions. Discontinues peripheral IV access
• Recognizes and reports unsafe working conditions and malfunctioning equipment, initiating corrective measures where indicated.
• Maintains professional ethics and conduct with patient and staff.
• Demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform treatments, procedures and the use and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment appropriate to assigned duties.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am-4:00pm; flexibility may be required in schedule to ensure coverage for operations of the facility.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 31062F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact v8_edrp_miami@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the NLNAC, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website.
• 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. An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part.
• 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-07:

• Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN.
• Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans.
• Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention.
• Ability to assist the RN or MD/DO address patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administer prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately record administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrate knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions.
• Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. Must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment demonstrating the ability to intervene when appropriate.
• Assists individuals or groups of patients and families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients/family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions. This includes the ability to deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision.
• Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient/family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes/incorporates established customer service standards their practice.
• Possess comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures/practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model/mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, guiding and directing their continuing practice.
• Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly report any deviations from normal practice patterns. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff.
• Work of considerable difficulty/responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. The staff mix is such, employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision.
• Actively seek out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice.

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-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. The incumbent must be able to demonstrate knowledge and ability to provide full range of complex technical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavior problems. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, use a keyboard, and perform CPR. Transferring patients and objects using appropriate assistive devices, push/pull an occupied gurney may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. 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, and perform all other activities of the position without restrictions.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for 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; 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.