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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 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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens) Education. Must be a graduate of practical nursing approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing at the time the program was completed by the applicant. 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. Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Licensure. Full, current, active and unrestricted licensure as a graduate licensed practical nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or District of Columbia. Physical Standards. All applicants must meet physical requirements for this position. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. GRADE DETERMINATIONS: GS-3. None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g., medication administration); however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved. GS-4 Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN, 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 NAs/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 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN. 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 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 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen· hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. ["Positions are located in the Community Living Centers (CLCs) at the Northport VAMC. North Fork and South Fork (CLC 1 & CLC 2)\nThe North Fork and South Fork are long term care geriatric units. These Veterans have multiple co-morbidities and require assistance with activities of daily living. The Island (CLC 3)\nThe Island has a geriatric psych population and is a locked unit. These Veterans have multiple co-morbidities and require assistance with activities of daily living. The Lighthouse (CLC4)\nThe lighthouse has a mixed population. Veteran's that need sub-acute rehabilitation services in addition to Veteran's that are receiving palliative (end of life) care. These Veterans have multiple co-morbidities and require assistance with activities of daily living. LPN duties include, but are not limited to: Accountable for adhering to established policies, procedures, standards of care and standards of practice, and for maintaining competencies consistent with role and responsibilities. Works under the supervision of the registered nurse who provides guidance and direction. Daily assignments are prepared by the registered nurse and reviewed with the licensed practical nurse. Documents in the medical record and reports observations and findings to the registered nurse and if appropriate, to the physician. Utilizes therapeutic communication with Veterans, families and other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team. Assumes responsibility and accountability for individual nursing judgments and actions and acts as a patient advocate. Administers medications as ordered. Please Note: Multiple Selections may be made from this announcement. This announcement may be used to fill vacancies in areas such as Long Term Care, Mental Health, Psychiatry, Primary Care, Specialty Outpatient, Medical/Surgery, and/or others. Selections may be used to fill vacancies that arise for various tours and work schedules, as the need arises. Work Schedule: Multiple Tours of Duty. Shifts may require rotation to other tours as applicable such as weekends, evenings, nights, and holidays. Day Tour: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM Evening Tour: 3:30 PM - 12:00 AM Night Tour: 11:30 PM - 8:00 AM Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]