Summary

The Vocational Nurse position will be with Surgical and Procedure Care Nursing Service- Gastroenterology. The Vocational Nurse utilizes technical and manual skills under the direction of the Registered Nurse or a licensed Physician in the assigned area. The Vocational Nurse performs a wide range of patient care duties and has the knowledge and skills to carry out nursing and administrative scheduling related assignments for Gastroenterology.

Qualifications

Vocational Nurse - GS-6

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
• 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)
• Experience
• Completion of at least one 1year 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
• Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 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 - 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 4 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
• Qualifying experience includes 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 - performing such duties as: Providing pre- and post-operative patient care
• Observing - recording - and reporting changes in behavior of mentally ill patients
• Providing reassurance and encouragement to mentally ill patients
• Assisting surgeons and registered nurses in operating room activities - including passing instruments - maintaining sterile conditions - and draping and positioning patients
• Setting up and operating special medical equipment and apparatus
• Preferred Experience: At least two years of direct patient care / clinical assessment experience
• At least one-year Specialty/Procedural/Clinic/Outpatient Experience
• Experience in developing projects - improving patient satisfaction - or clinic flow
• Customer Service - Scheduling - Procedural Prep Instruction
• 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. Physical Requirements: No special physical qualifications are required
• Candidates must be currently licensed to practice as practical or vocational nurses in a State or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or must have applied for a license to practice
• Applications of candidates possessing a license must be accompanied by a certified or photostatic copy of the license - a notarized statement attesting to the fact - or a citation of the license number and State issuing it
• Non-licensed candidates who have completed their training may be appointed subject to obtaining the required license during the probationary period
• Those not licensed must furnish the date on which they applied for a license and the jurisdiction involved
• No person appointed pending licensure may be retained beyond the probationary period if licensure has not been attained.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to: Responsible for maintaining BLS Certification - as well as attending all mandated review programs and for attending in-services and continuing education activities
• Must adhere to all activities of the position without restriction
• Is adaptable to function in pre - intra and post procedural roles and utilizes the most current evidence to direct practice
• Roles included but are not limited to carrying out physician orders - monitoring vital signs - assisting physicians during the examination - diagnostic and interventional procedures
• In coordination with the RN - the LVNs must understand all components of standard of precautions - PPE - patient fall risk precautions - setting up procedural rooms with respect to sterility - cleanliness - availability of functioning endoscopic equipment and supplies
• May assist in reprocessing scopes as needed
• Demonstrates knowledge of endoscopic principles to include knowledge of patient preparation - patient positioning - assisting with procedures - care and handling of specimens - infection control and sterilizing principles
• Other related duties may be assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Schedules may change depending on the service's needs
• 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 Tara.Moore-Thaxton@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 #: Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized