Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens and Other Current, Permanent Federal Employees of Other Agencies.

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Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides quality care to patients with multi-system problems and assists patients with a full range of personal care with attention to preserving dignity, autonomy, religious preferences, and cultural values
• Has some knowledge and skill in supporting providers with diagnostic tests and procedures, which may include:
  a. Preparing the patient
  b. Assisting the provider with diagnostic examination or procedure
  c. Preparing and handling specialized instruments/equipment
  d. Monitoring the patient's condition before, during, and after the procedure
• Prepares, administers, and documents medications and treatments, including the patient's response, under supervision as prescribed
• Measures and charts vital signs; reports abnormal findings to RN or provider
• Consistently distinguishes, evaluates, and reports changes in patient status and notifies the preceptor
• Complies with universal precautions and infection control policies and procedures
• Communicates with patients, family members, caregivers, and community-based services via different modalities, including but not limited to secure messaging, phone calls, and face-to-face
• Completes assignments as directed, based on established protocols/accepted medical service practices, San Francisco VA Healthcare system policy and procedures, and VHA Guidelines
• Observe, identify, and respond to patient/family education needs and teach according to current clinical practice standards with supervision
• Proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties with supervision for variable patient populations
• Recognizes and promptly reports patient abuse
• Demonstrates appropriate action in environmental emergencies
• Maintains a safe/clean work environment and completes assigned environmental duties
• Employs appropriate lifting/moving, transfer, and assistive devices while consistently demonstrating proper and safe body mechanics
• Report unsafe equipment and working conditions to appropriate individuals and intervene appropriately
• Participates in Quality Improvement activities
• Practice cost-effective measures with the use of equipment and supplies
• Actively participates in huddles or team meetings
• Assists the team in meeting specialty clinic outcome measures, which may also include data collection and reports
• Demonstrates knowledge of pertinent Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and competency in the set-up, proper use, and disinfection of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) and Reusable Medical Devices (RMD)
• Establishes work priorities and completes assignments based on established protocols/accepted medical service practices, San Francisco VA Healthcare System policy and procedures, and VHA Guidelines
• Trains/educates less experienced LVNs and NAs in promoting optimal care delivery
• Performs additional duties as assigned by the Nurse Manager or designee ( i.e., Continuous Video Monitoring (CVM) Safety Technician, Continuous Patient Assistant ( CPA), Escort duties based upon the needs of the Veteran, Medical Instrument Technician (Telemetry Technician))

Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Flexible ( 730-1600,1530-2400, 2330-0800) PST
Telework: Not Available
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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 trial period.
• 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 dentification 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).

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).
• Licensure - Full, Active, Current and Unrestricted license as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States or District of Columbia
• English Language Proficiency - Appointment to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7408(d).

Grade Determinations:GS-03 - None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-04 - Six months of qualifying experience as 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

(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-06
(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.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Appendix G13

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: Requires Visual Acuity; keen hearing; clear distinctive speech; Moderate Lifting up to 35 pounds; Walking, Standing intermittently up to 4 hours; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Intermittent typing; Sitting; Bending and stooping; Reaching above shoulder, Fine motor movement of hands/fingers; Hearing acuity to auscultate using stethoscope (i.e. blood pressure, etc.); Corrected Vision to 20/30; ability to exert 20 pounds of pressure to compress adult chest 2 inches for CPR; Frequent hand washing/sanitizing required.

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.