Summary

The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is a direct-care provider who has the technical proficiency and observation skills necessary for initiating - performing - and completing assigned duties in delivering comprehensive practical nursing care to variable patient populations. The LVN is a member of the Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (HPACT) involved in providing care to the patient and in developing the patient aligned care plan at the Oakland VA Clinic.

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 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 and to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments
• Ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs for medication - equipment-assisted care and patient/family education
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• 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
• 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
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• Salary for this position ranges dependent upon applicant qualifications GS-03: $57 -611-$74 -886 annually GS-04: $64 -670-$84 -080 annually GS-05: $72 -353-$94 -051 annually GS-06: $78 -734-$102 -350 annually Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 6
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 6
• Physical Requirements: The population of male and female patients served ranges from the adult - age 18 - to the elderly adult - age 65 and over
• The San Francisco VA Health Care System is a health care facility - providing acute medical - surgical - behavioral health - physical medicine and rehabilitation - geriatric - and primary care services predominately to veterans - but in special cases - includes active duty military and civilian populations
• This position requires visual acuity (Correctable to 20/40) - hearing clear distinctive speech (correctable to 20db) - and manual dexterity to perform prescribed procedures/computer usage
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or during patient operative/invasive procedures
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - and is able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Duties

• 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
• Program 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
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact susan.bringel@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more The LVN-HPACT demonstrates the ability to balance many competing demands and sets priorities effectively - while supporting multiple providers
• Has the knowledge and ability to appropriately carry-out assigned patient care based on patients' conditions
• Demonstrates competency in dealing with a high volume of patients with chronic disease (e.g. - Hypertension - Diabetes - Cardiac and Pulmonary Disease) - as well as acute episodes of illness
• Duties and responsibilities of the LVN/LPN HPACT include: Utilizes judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments
• Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures
• Provides care utilizing Systems Redesign principles such as Patient Aligned Care Team Model
• Utilizes two (2) patient identifiers when rooming patients - providing treatments or procedures - and obtaining specimens
• Demonstrates knowledge of \"time out\" process before invasive procedures
• Utilizes verbal or written \"hand off' interactive communication that allows the opportunity for questioning between giver and receiver of patient information
• Provides quality care to patients with multi-system problems - including acutely- and chronically-ill patients
• Promptly recognizes - evaluates - and reports urgent or emergent patient care situations and/or subtle changes in patient status
• Seeks assistance and guidance as appropriate by informing RN or Medical Provider of changes in the patient's condition
• Evaluates patients in a timely manner and takes appropriate action
• Demonstrates self-direction in prioritizing and completing assignments
• Huddles with the team daily and engages in team meetings in cooperation of the development of the patient centered care
• Consistently uses sound judgment while demonstrating the ability to assist the RN to plan patient care and set priorities
• Recognizes and demonstrates understanding of age - cultural - and population-specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran
• Initiates and participates in preventive health screening and instruction (e.g. - diet and exercise - alcohol abuse - smoking cessation - immunizations - etc.) for ambulatory care patients
• Initiates completion of the Health Habits Screening - Clinical Reminders - and encounters as indicated
• Identifies need and initiates appropriate referrals
• Accurately performs highly comprehensive and complex nursing treatments and procedures
• Evaluates patients' needs for medication - prepares - administers - and documents prescribed medications per protocol or provider's order
• Performs venipuncture and inserts peripheral IVs - upon completion of IV class or certification and competency where indicated
• Administers - monitors - and discontinues prepared peripheral IV fluids and medications - according to policy
• Demonstrates competence utilizing special equipment needed to perform job duties
• Appropriately performs - reports - and documents assigned nursing care in the Primary Care Clinics and in the field to support HPACT
• Consistently complies with HIPAA Privacy Rules
• Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery
• Recognizes and promptly reports suspected patient abuse
• Observes - identifies - and responds to patient / family's education needs - and teaches in accordance with current clinical practice standards
• Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm varies on patient are needs Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized