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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. 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. Learn more Applicants must meet all requirements by the close of the announcement. 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. Licensure: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or District of Columbia. English Language Proficiency: LPNs/LVNs 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated, 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-3: None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license. GS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs a through c below: a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN/LVN; or b) Graduation from an approved school 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 c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. a) 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. b) 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. c) 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. d) 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. e) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. f) Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN 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: Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. a) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. b) 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. c)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. d) 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. e) 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. f) 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. g) 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. h) 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. i) 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: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G13 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: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over), straight pulling (6 hours), pushing (2 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking (6 hours), standing (2 hours), repeated bending (6 hours), ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted), visual acuity 20/30 corrected, working with hands in water, working closely with others. ["Duties will vary based on grade. At the GS-6 full performance level for this assignment, the incumbent demonstrates knowledge and ability to provide practical nursing care to Veteran patients within the Acute Care Service Line. This service line cares for patients admitted to an inpatient medical-surgical inpatient hospital unit, located on the Seattle Campus of VA Puget Sound. Patients may have a combination of acute or chronic health conditions, diminished functioning or conditions associated with aging or military service, or diminished cognitive functioning, including dementia, mild to severe disability, or receiving palliative or hospice care. Duties will include: 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. Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned Veteran care based on the Veterans' conditions. Knowledgeable of elder abuse, observes for subtle signs and symptoms, and reports immediately to the charge nurse if there are reasons or evidence of abuse. The LPN helps orient other LPNs and Nursing Assistants. Role models and is accountable to adherence to external reviewer standards (Joint Commission,), policies, procedures, standards of care, standards of practice, patient centered care guidelines, and cultural transformation. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Demonstrates knowledge and skill 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. Completes tasks for admission / discharge procedures as directed by the RN. The LPN contributes to the RN plan of care or assessment data. Provides care to Veterans appropriate to their cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation. Organizes and prioritizes routine Veteran care activities and promoting maximizing the Veteran independence and comfort. Appropriately orients/trains less experienced LPNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and perform these 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 LIP. Monitors and reports untoward skin conditions and records appropriate Braden scale score. Performs actions targeted to the maintenance and / or restoration of skin integrity. Performs wound care including dressing changes, irrigations, and drains (Jackson Pratt, Penrose, and Hemovacs). Administers respiratory therapies, to include incentive spirometry and oxygen (cannula/prongs/mask). Performs the following tasks: Tracheostomy care, performs oral/pharyngeal suctioning, manages and monitors gastric/intestinal drainage and feeding tubes (including checking for residual). Manages, applies and monitors pneumatic sequential compression devices, delivers ostomy care, utilizes Bladder Volume instrument appropriately, performing neuro sign checks as assigned, and implementing seizure precautions. Assigned and/or contributes to Quality Assurance as directed by the Nurse Manager. Participates in unit in services or educational offering to maintain competency and update practice skills. Work Schedule: Rotating Days/Weekends 03:30PM-Midnight\nTelework: Not Available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Please contact the VISN 20 EDRP Coordinator Stacy Hermann @ V20CompensationTeam@va.gov\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]