Career Center

The incumbent serves as a Licensed Practical Nurse for the Office of Community Care (OCC), a patient-focused, outcome-oriented care system, in which coordination of care is of primary concern. The Licensed Practical Nurse is a licensed vocational nurse qualified by education and experience to provide direct staff support to service chiefs, and others in planning, designing, integrating, implementing, modifying, and evaluating the effectiveness of program components. 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. Preferred Experience: Incumbent must have two years of LPN experience. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary but may include periods of standing (1 hour or less), sitting and some walking (2 hours or less). A health examination must be successfully completed prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Occupational Health Clinic policy. Time will be spent at a computer terminal performing various keyboard functions. While work is not extremely physical in nature, the incumbent will work under pressure with multiple tasks, changing priorities and stringent deadlines. The health care field is a very changing spectrum which requires constant updating of knowledge. It is therefore important that the incumbent participates in continuing education that will enhance health care skills and knowledge. Other duties may be assigned in support of the facilities mission. ["VISN 12 is committed to fostering and sustaining an environment which celebrates diversity, provides equitable opportunities for employment and promotion, and supports inclusiveness in our culture. Together, we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that promote professional growth and teamwork, and are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We embrace our differences as individuals and unite as a team toward a common goal: to serve our nation's Veterans. The LPN is responsible for observing, recording and reporting changes in the patient's condition; completion of clinical reminders; and completion of annual preventive health screenings. The LPN is a member of a larger team and demonstrates active collaboration and communication with the team (Patient, Physicians, Division Officers, RN, OCC Team members, and PSAs) and larger team (family/caregiver, internal and community based services and disciplines involved) in providing care to the patient. The work performed is complex in nature. Procedures are carried out with consideration of factors, such as the physical condition of the patient, availability of provider and supporting medical information. Incumbent must be able to absorb new concepts quickly and work efficiently and independently while being tactful, respectful and courteous. The goal is to provide services to the Veteran to ensure that s/he receives administrative services and medical care in a timely and efficient manner. As a member of the Office of Community Care Team, the incumbent shares the overall expectation of the team in providing patient services and administrative and clinical support. Role and Responsibility Practices the mission, vision and values of the organization and works towards accomplishing them in daily work activities. Sign into Automated Call Distributor (ACD) line daily as assigned to answer and process calls from Veteran related to consults accordingly. Expresses or exchanges ideas orally and in written format, effectively. Responsible for providing clinical and administrative recommendations relative to programs, committees and/or services that relate to OCC Services and Utilization Management; and is a member of the OCC team involved in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) as an approach. Reviews inpatient and outpatient consultations to determine if consult meets established criteria. Demonstrates the ability to review consult for relevancy, accuracy, and completeness prior to submitting to appropriate specialist. Demonstrates ability to effectively follow-up on specific consult issues until fully dispositional. Maintains provider specific statistical data regarding total consult reports and inappropriate consults. Takes initiative to seek and suggest improvements in how work is done. Follows guidelines set forth by VHA Directive related to scheduling and enters data accurately. Demonstrates the ability to serve as resource person or advisor for program support. Ensures all consults are acted on and completed in a timely manner; using OCC systems JVL, REFDOC, Virtru Pro, VISTA, CPRS, VHIE, HSRM, Consult Toolbox and any new system introduced to enhance OCC timeliness. Schedules consults with Non-VA providers for appointments using Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VISTA) scheduling options. Performs all required audits on consults as stipulated in audit tools n. Utilizes communication skills in accomplishing required activities. Ability to keep current with changes from regulatory agencies regarding standards and conditions. Applies techniques to maintain patient integrity and confidentiality. Ensures all TBI performance measures are adhered to and tracks all necessary TBI data for reporting. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: Office of Community Care Division - Licensed Practical Nurse\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]