National War College Alumni Association

This position performs tasks such as recording vital signs, preparing & administering medications, immunizations, doing intake histories, assisting the physician with physicals and/or procedures, diabetic foot exams, clearing annual clinical reminders, assisting with female wellness exams & performing other duties as requested to promote quality health care, positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. 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) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. Exceptions include: (1) 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. (2) VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions.(3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C. 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. An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational 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: In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-6 (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 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13, 4/10/2003 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: This position requires Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, Straight pulling (1 hour), Pushing (1-3 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (4 hours), Standing (2-7 hours), Kneeling (2 hours), Repeated bending (2 hours), Climbing, use of legs and arms, Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Specific visual requirement of 20/40 DVA; corrected, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted), Sitting (8 hours), Simple grasping (2-4 hours) Fine manipulation (including keyboarding 4-6 hours), Twisting (2 hours), Mental and emotional stability ["Duties are described at the GS 6, Full performance level. This position performs tasks such as recording vital signs, preparing and administering medications, immunizations, doing intake histories, assisting the physician with physicals and/or procedures, diabetic foot exams, clearing annual clinical reminders, assisting with female wellness exams and performing other duties as requested to meet patient needs and institutional performance measures. The delivery of care will be in accordance with established standards, hospital policies and procedures and is consistent with the plan of other health care providers. You will demonstrate knowledge and skills concentrated in carrying out the most complex practical nursing care assignments and observe, identify and respond to patients needs for nursing. Varies order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patient's condition and will be able to reorganize workload based upon unit needs. You will accurately report and record significant patient information. The LVN provides input for modifying patient care plans considering physical, emotional and social factors. You will demonstrate ability to pursue practical knowledge of human behavior, motivations, and reactions to situations to working effectively with patients, family and staff members. Your complete work needs only general review by RN for technical and clinical accuracy, appropriateness and conformity with policy and nursing assignments and demonstrate responsible behaviors within the nursing care team. The LVN will use sound judgment in application of the nursing process. They will foster/support a learning environment by participation in the orientation of new employees, providing feedback as appropriate and seeking opportunities for self-improvement. Clinical Skills: 1. Uses clinical reasoning and established evidence-based policies as the basis for decision-making in nursing practice. 2. Assist in determining the physical and mental health status, needs, and preferences of culturally, ethnically, and socially diverse veterans and their families based on interpretation of health-related data. 3. Report data to assist in the identification of problems and formulation of goal/outcomes and patient-centered plans of care in collaboration with veterans, their families, and the interdisciplinary health care team. 4. Provide safe, compassionate, basic nursing care to assigned patients with predictable health care needs through a supervised, directed scope of practice 5. Implement aspects of the plan of care within legal, ethical, and regulatory parameters and in consideration of patient factors. 6. Identify and report alterations in patient responses to therapeutic interventions in comparison to expected outcomes. 7. Implement teaching plans for patients and their families with common health problems and well-defined health learning needs. 8. Assist in the coordination of human, information, and materiel resources in providing care for assigned patients and their families. Patient Safety: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the all nursing, federal, state, and local government and accreditation organization safety requirements and standards. 2. Implement measures to promote quality and a safe environment for patients, self, and others. 3. Assist in the formulation of goals and outcomes to reduce patient risks. 4. Obtain instruction, supervision, or training as needed when implementing nursing procedures or practices. 5. Accept and make assignments that take into consideration patient safety and organizational policy. Member of the Health Care Team: 1. Communicate and collaborate with patients, their families, and the interdisciplinary health care team to assist in the planning, delivery, and coordination of patient-centered care to assigned patients. 2. Participate as an advocate in activities that focus on improving the health care of patients and their families. 3. Participate in the identification of patient needs for referral to resources that facilitate continuity of care and ensure confidentiality. 4. Communicate and collaborate in a timely manner with members of the interdisciplinary health care team to promote and maintain optimal health status of patients and their families. 5. Communicate patient data using technology to support decision-making to improve patient care. 6. Assign nursing care to LVNs or unlicensed personnel based upon an analysis of patient or unit need. 7. Supervise nursing care provided by others for whom the nurse is responsible. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm (Tour of Duty and location may change due to patient care needs) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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