Vocational Nurse

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Direct Patient (Critical) 1. Provides quality care to patients with multi-system problems and assists patients with a full range of personal care with attention to preserving dignity, autonomy, religious preferences, and cultural values 2. Has some knowledge and skill in supporting providers with diagnostic tests and procedures, which may include: Preparing the patient Assisting the provider with diagnostic examination or procedure Preparing and handling specialized instruments/equipment Monitoring the patient's condition before, during, and after the procedure 3. Prepares, administers, and documents medications and treatments, including the patient's response, under supervision as prescribed 4. Measures and charts vital signs; reports abnormal findings to RN or provider 5. Consistently distinguishes, evaluates, and reports changes in patient status and notifies the preceptor 6. Complies with universal precautions and infection control policies and procedures 7. Communicates with patients, family members, caregivers, and community-based services via different modalities, including but not limited to secure messaging, phone calls, and face-to-face 8. Completes assignments as directed, based on established protocols/accepted medical service practices, San Francisco VA Healthcare system policy and procedures, and VHA Guidelines 9. Recognizes and promptly reports patient abuse 10. Demonstrates knowledge and correct usage of skills in intervening and managing potentially violent and/or suicidal patients 11. Demonstrates knowledge of and correct usage of medical and psychiatric terminology/diagnosis. 12. Monitors and helps with patient traffic to ensure minimal wait times for patients and to keep providers daily schedules on time. 13. Completes PACT scrubbing 14. Attends and participates in huddles, pre-visit planning and team meetings 15. Makes pre-visit calls for PACT 16. Communicates effectively with outside providers and organizations 17. Completes discharge calls when needed 18. Completes nursing care activities and covers other teams' assignments as directed Work Schedule: Variable hours between 0800 to 1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 10044F, 10045F, 10046F, 10047F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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)

Qualifications

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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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. Exceptions include 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 OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN. Licensure - Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia. 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 above, 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. GS 4: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN/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 in duration. AND LVN/LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level. GS 5: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. AND Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel patient care. 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. 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. GS 6: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent. AND Technically proficient in i