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As a LVN within Community Engagement and Reintegration Service (CERS), you will work with a team of professionals who work with chronically homeless Veterans with chronic medical problems and mental illness. You will provide wrap around services to veterans who need housing, medical, social, and mental health services to veterans who are eligible for care. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Participating in daily team huddles.
• Calling scheduled patients, and ensuring labs and tests ordered have been completed.
• Checking in patients, complete needed reminders, and alert medical providers of potential problems.
• Assisting with exams and procedures (EKG, wound care, ear lavage, vaccinations, catheterizations, nebulizers, etc.).
• Providing needed clinical support including checking equipment and exam rooms for needed supplies, restocking rooms, etc.
• Administering in clinic medications, and observing for physical and/or emotional changes in patients' conditions.
• Recognizing emergency patient care situations, and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Collaborating with the RN in identifying, developing, and instructing the patient on health education to promote self-care to minimize the effects of chronic diseases.
• Floating and providing assistance to other teams in order to meet the needs of the patient.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, Day Shift and Night shift 7:30 am - 8:00 pm. 7:30 pm - 8:00 am. May include weekends, and holidays.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required N/A

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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/25/2022.
Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: United States Citizenship
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).
• Education or Training: Must be a graduate of a practical or vocational nursing program approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing at the time the program was completed by the applicant, or have you completed Health care education in the military service or training in the military service.

Grade Determinations:
GS-3 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 Experience: At least (6) six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN. OR Graduation from an approved school and have (1) 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-5 Experience: Completion of at least one year at the GS-4 level or equivalent of qualifying experience as an LPN and can demonstrate the following: 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. 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. 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. 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. Recognize and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.

GS-6 Experience: Completion of at least one year at the GS 5 level or equivalent of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS 5 LPN and am technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Completed work needs only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (ND/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, 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.

Preferred Experience: 2 years of Mental Health, Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program Experience, Substance Use Disorder Experience.

Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting (15-44 lbs.); Light Carrying (Under 15 lbs.); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking (3 hours); Standing (3 hours); Kneeling (1 hour).

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.