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The Syracuse VA Medical Center is recruiting for one LPN on on our Inpatient Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Unit. The LPN will deliver fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned patients throughout the VHA Syracuse HCS while developing technical competencies. The LPN will demonstrate unit/department specific competencies, and competency in caring for adult Patients. Preferred Experience: Experience with SCI is preferred but not required Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens 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. 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. Physical Requirements: All applicants must meet physical requirements for this position. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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) Grade Requirements: GS-3 None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. 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. 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 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 (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. 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) 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 or MD/DO. 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. 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 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. References: VA 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. ["Provides emotional support to residents, and families/significant others to assist them in adjusting to changes brought about by illness or change in health status. Establishes constructive relationship with individual residents to elicit feelings and attitudes and to promote positive relationships, communication, and socialization skills Hospice/Palliative care needs are supported as needed based on resident self-determination Demonstrates ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with residents, family members, professional and supportive personnel who provide resident care, and with members of other services Responds to residents calls for assistance promptly and interacts with the resident in a tactful, courteous manner, making customer service the focus of all interactions Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing assignments, including assignments for, long-term, short-term rehabilitation, respite, hospice/palliative care, and psychiatric residents requiring skilled nursing care Demonstrates ability to use judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines, varying the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the resident's condition. Completed work needs only a general review by a RN for technical soundness, appropriateness and conformity with policy and nursing assignments Prepares and administers prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, inhaled medications, controlled substances, intravenous piggybacks, continuous intravenous infusions, and injectable medications and suppositories according to policy and procedure. Correctly documents medications given or omitted in Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) according to established policy and procedures. Documents effects of medications Initiates, maintains, and discontinues IV therapy and intermittent intravenous devices. Administers IV piggyback medications via continuous infusion or intermittent infusion device according to hospital policy and procedure Performs a wide range of treatments and procedures utilizing established nursing care plans and auxiliary equipment according to policy, including but not limited to: application of heat and cold, wound care, changing complex sterile and clean dressings, administering suppositories, cleansing and retention enemas, tube feedings, weights, vital signs, glucose finger sticks, specimen collection, intake and output, colostomy irrigation, oxygen, orthopedic traction, spirometry, nebulizer treatments, and standard 12 lead EKGs, and care of well-established tracheostomies and laryngectomies. Performs oropharyngeal, tracheostomy, and tracheal suctioning, and tracheostomy and laryngectomy care Observes and documents resident changes in condition; examples such as bleeding, vomiting, fainting, skin changes, behavioral concerns, etc. to the Charge Nurse or RN Appropriately initiates emergency response teams: Rapid Response Team (RRT), Code Blue, Stroke-Cardiac alerts and responds to emergency situations including cardiopulmonary arrest, choking, and disaster or fire drills Prepares residents for tests, examinations, treatments and surgery. Assists Licensed Independent Practitioner with a variety of diagnostic procedures by setting up trays, supplies, and equipment, using sterile technique and monitoring the patient's condition before, during and following the procedure. These procedures include, but are not limited to: insertion of chest tubes, thoracentesis, paracentesis, lumbar puncture, and liver biopsies. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs or NAs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures Performs a range of resident care activities which include, but are not limited to: Restorative Care, oral and enteral feeding, bathing, bed making, turning, positioning, and ambulating residents; oral, hair, nail and related care; and other related care of similar complexity such as care of urinary drainage appliances. Collects specimens such as urine, sputum, and stool for laboratory analysis Work Schedule: Rotating shifts; Holidays: Weekends Functional Statement # 000000"]

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