Summary

This position is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Southeast Network (VISN 7) - VA Augusta Health Care System (VAAHCS) in Augusta - Georgia located in the Nursing Service.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) 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)]
• 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
• 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
• 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 - 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
• (i) Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures - 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
• 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-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-06
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Duties - include - however - not limited to: Ensures that the physical and emotional environment is consistent with the vision for veteran/family centered care
• Facilitates the admission of new patients through unit orientation room - and bed assignments and initiation of vital signs
• Initiates basic emergency measures in response to life-threatening situations
• Utilizes established plans of care to provide patient care in compliance with nursing policies - procedures - and standards
• Contributes information for the review and revision of nursing care plans based on observation of patient response to treatment programs
• Routinely identifies the patient's situation properly and performs the tasks required to resolve the patient's problem accurately and in a timely manner - following up as necessary to ensure a satisfactory resolution
• Serves as Veteran/family advocate
• Safeguards Veteran/family right to privacy and confidentiality
• Support active participation of Veterans and families in their care
• Removes and/or reports equipment/furniture in need of repair
• Administers approved medications safely and in accordance with established policy and procedure
• All medication orders should be verified by the RN prior to administration
• Prepares - administers - and appropriately documents approved cutaneous - subcutaneous - intramuscular (IM) - oral - ophthalmic - optic - rectal - vaginal - and urologic medications safely and in accordance with established BCMA policy and procedure - observing - recording and reporting unusual reactions
• All medication orders should be verified by the RN prior to administration
• Administers selected oral - rectal - subcutaneous - IM and IV medications and records input and output accordingly in VISTA and CPRS
• Records effectiveness of PRN - STAT - and pain medications following administration
• Documents pain medication effectiveness within 2 hours in BCMA
• Observes for drug reactions and report any untoward effects to the RN and/or physician
• Reports medication errors immediately to the Charge Nurse and complete the appropriate documentation (electronic Patient Event Report ePER) related to the error
• Initiates - monitors - and maintains IV therapy - also able to add premixed solution to existing IV lines - with the exception of central lines and Hickman catheters as appropriate to unit assignment
• Maintains and monitors central IV lines
• Work Schedule: Evenings - 3:30PM - 12:00AM - with rotating weekends and holidays
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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) Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 55045
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.