Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens with priority consideration given to Bronx VAMC employees.

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• Re-enforce the assessment the physical and psychosocial needs of assigned patients, as outlined in the nursing care standards appropriate to their level and their practice area.
• Promptly Re-enforce the assessment of all patients assigned and assists in prioritizing the patient's immediate needs.
• Use judgment in selecting appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments.
• Assesses patients for proper identification and verification prior to performing any health treatment, special procedure, or administration of medications.
• Collects data by observation, inspection, patient records and reports.
• Recognizes and Documents, in the medical record, any/all observations made in reference to the physical, emotional, social, spiritual and cultural needs from patient, family, significant others, health care providers, and/or agencies in the community.
• Accurately and completely documents assessment data, maintains medical record confidentiality.
• Communicates data in timely manner by documenting, reporting, adjusting this plan of care and communicating among the health care team.
• Conducts self-assessment of performance and identifies own learning needs. Communicates this information to the professional nurse and immediate supervisor.
• Collaborates with the professional nurse to provide ongoing input to the assigned patient's care plan.
• Assists in formulating desired patient outcomes.
• Reviews and submits input for nursing standards of care, policies and procedures, when requested.
• Suggests ways to solve problems relevant to patient care and improvement in overall operation of the unit.
• Plans and develops goals and objectives with immediate supervisor in conjunction with performance appraisal.
• Supports and adheres to service line and nursing program policies and procedures.
• Administers personal care and performs nursing care procedures. Performs support duties for complex diagnostic test and specialized practices, monitoring patient's condition before, during, and after procedure. Administers prescribed medications, monitors and documents results. Maintains IV therapy and administers IV medications as per medical center policy.
• Observes and documents patient's physical and/or emotional response to medication administered and reports any changes in condition to the Registered Nurse (RN) /Medical doctor (MD)/Provider.
• Recognizes need to institute emergency measures, seeks assistance of RN/MD/Provider and assists in emergency interventions, including resuscitation procedures, as directed.
• Documents nursing actions and outcomes in the patient's record.
• Identifies and responds to patients needs for care to include medication and equipment-assisted care.
• Provides and documents effective education to patients/families in relation to common disease processes, medications and/or prescribed treatment programs.
• Serves as preceptor in orientation/training of less experienced LPN/LVN' s, NA, Health Techs, and as a role model in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery and/or support duties for complex, specialized tests/procedures.
• Demonstrates knowledge/understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations and uses this to work effectively with patients/significant others and staff. ·
• Participates with the professional nurse in the evaluation and revision of assigned patient's care plan. Fosters an environment of respect for the patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in care, establishing constructive relationships with all parties involved to elicit positive feelings and attitudes, promoting positive relationships, communication, and socialization skills.
• Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions.
• Evaluates the LPN orientation and submits input for revision if indicated.
• Seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge/skills and shares same with staff to improve practice.
• Participates with the professional nurse in performance improvement activities.
• Evaluates self-objectives and determines need for new objectives in conjunction with performance evaluation.
• Promptly reports any breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies to the appropriate personnel for corrective action.

Work Schedule: Minimum 3 days p/month required. 8 hour - 12 hour shifts TBD
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 23588-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. A Graduate from 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.
• Licensure. Possess a full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia.
• English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical 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-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.
(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 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 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 G-13.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06.

Physical Requirements: The work requires standing and walking for long periods of time. The LPN must frequently bend, reach, stoop, stretch to perform necessary work duties. Must be able to carry or lift up to 35 pounds and be able to utilize mechanical lifts for safety. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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, résumé, 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.

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.