This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-3 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Experience/Education: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVNOR, Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) 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-5 Experience: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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, NP, and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs)/Intermediate Care Technicians (ICTs) 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, NP, 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, NP, or MD/DO, and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN, NP, 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-6 Experience: 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. 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), Nurse Practitioner (NP), or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. 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. 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, NP, or MD/DO. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN, NP, and/or MD/DO, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed. 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. 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. 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/ICTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Preferred Experience: Primary Care experience preferred but not required. Will accept and Consider New Graduates 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 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 3 to GS 6. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The LPN PACT applies the PACT principles utilizing the nursing process and evidence-based practice to collaborate with the Teamlet (Patient, Primary Care Provider [PCP], Registered Nurse [RN] Care Manager, Clinical Associate, and Clerical Associate) and expanded Team (family/caregiver, internal and community-based services involved in providing care to the patient) in developing the patient-driven care plan for life. The LPN is a member of the Team let team. The LPN is responsible for collaborating with services internal and external to the VA to facilitate care transition to effectively meet the patients' needs. The LPN provides patient and family health education with a focus on self-management, prevention, and wellness, based on the patient's goals. The LPN demonstrates leadership by serving as an advocate for patients and a team leader with colleagues as she/he continues to enhance his/her own and the team's professional growth, development and practice. The LPN practices according to the Primary Care Handbook (VHA Handbook 1101.10) and VHA Directive 1406, Patient Centered Management Module (PCMM) for Primary Care. He/she provides Health Coaching to enhance the patient's wellbeing and achieve their related health-related goals per VHA Handbook 1120.02, Health Promotion and Disease prevention Core Program Requirements. He/she provides Health Education as defined in VHA Handbook 1120.04, Veterans Health Education and Information Core to enhance the quality of life through health promotion and disease prevention, actively partner with their health care teams and engage needed family and social support systems while developing self-management and coping skills and utilizing appropriate VHA health care resources. Establish Home Telehealth monitoring using case management principles to coordinate care using health informatics, disease management, and telehealth technologies to facilitate access to care and to improve the health of Veterans to improve clinical outcomes. Provides personalized, proactive, patient-driven health care. The LPN provides patient-driven engagement with the patient being the source of control, ensuring that their health care is based on their needs, values, and life preferences. Builds a relationship between the patient and health care team. Provides Veterans with ongoing health education, which spans the continuum of care from the skills and information needed to promote health and prevent disease, to the patient education needed to cope with and manage acute and chronic conditions. Clinical preventive services are delivered for the primary prevention of disease, or for the early detection of disease in persons who are asymptomatic for the target condition, with the goal of preventing or minimizing future morbidity and mortality. Clinical preventive services include: screening for treatable diseases, conditions or health risk behaviors (e.g., cancers, mental health conditions, tobacco use); immunizations; health education (e.g., education, counseling regarding tobacco use, physical activity, nutrition, promoting health and wellness); and preventive medications (such as prescribing statins for subclinical heart disease, etc.). Work Schedule: M-F 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov,, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 50564A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized