Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to current/permanent employees of the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System only. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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MAJOR DUTIES:
Utilizes judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments:

• Demonstrates self-direction in prioritizing and completing assignments.
• Evaluates patients in a timely manner and takes appropriate action.
• Proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations

Has knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures:

• Serves as a resource for complex/specialized procedures such as cystoscopes, laryngoscopes, lesion removal, fine needle biopsy/aspirations, vasectomies, paracentesis, cast removal, and transrectal prostate biopsies.
• Independently performs electrocardiograms, places ambulatory electrocardiography devices using correct electrode placement, and transmits data electronically upon removal.
• Independently performs urodynamic studies, post void residual scans, Foley/suprapubic catheter changes, and penile injections in Specialty Nurse Clinic.

Utilizes judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines:

• Demonstrates sound judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines and ability to plan patient care and set priorities.
• Recognizes and monitors age-specific and/or cultural needs of patients.
• Initiates and participates in preventive health screening and instruction

Observes, identifies, and responds to patients' needs for care, including medication and equipment assisted care, and recognizes deviations from normal:

• Consistently distinguishes, evaluates, and reports subtle changes in patient status, and initiates appropriate action.
• Has knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of RN or MD, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions, as directed.
• Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to promote positive relationships, communication, and socialization skills

Accurately performs highly comprehensive and complex nursing treatments and procedures:

• Evaluates patients' needs for medication, and prepares, administers, and documents prescribed medications, per protocol.
• Functions as a primary scrub person responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during surgical procedures

Accurately recognizes, reports, and records relevant patient information:

• Assists with computer check-in and check-out of clinic appointments.
• Correctly documents in medical record using CPRS/GUI, BCMA and VISTA computer programs

Assists in the overall clinic management, functions such as:

• Contributes to smooth operation of clinic by consistently ensuring that support and administrative tasks are carried out.
• Maintains inventory and par levels of specialty equipment/supplies.
• Assists Nurse Manager, Assistant Nurse Manager and specialty clinic team members in quality improvement activities

Work Schedule: M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
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)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 02925-F

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.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

If Applicable, 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.

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.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• 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. 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 LPN/LVN licensure will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/LVN.
• Licensure - Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia.

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 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-6 LVN/LPN.
• Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings.
• Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery.
• Ability to make astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately document care delivered and patient's response to care.
• Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures.
• Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery.
• Ability to assist individuals or groups of patients and their families in taking an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes.
• Comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care.
• Ability to support the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or nonmedical staff in patient care delivery.
• Ability to perform work of considerable difficulty and responsibility under general supervision, exercising independent technical judgments and applying comprehensive working knowledge of practical nursing principles.

Preferred Experience:

• Current Basic Life Support Provider Card
• Ambulatory Care Experience

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements: 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, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be 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.