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Summary 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. Responsibilities The Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center is looking for License Practical Nurses (LPN) to work in the Nursing, GEC-Long Term Care service. The Licensed Practical Nurse serves as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team with an assigned patient load. Work is of considerable difficulty and responsibility are performed under general supervision. The LPN engages in nursing care, which requires the knowledge and skills represented by licensure as an LPN. Maintains acceptable standards of practice under the direction of the nurse manager or designee. In addition to meeting the requirements for the GS 3-6 LPN grade, the GS-7 LPN has the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties. These duties include assignments in selected, more complex, inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Their knowledge base of patient care data actively contributes to the development of the patient's overall health plan and enables them to carry out assigned nursing interventions. Broader knowledge and skills are required at the GS-7 grade because supervision is more general, and these LPNs are more involved in the development and modification of the patient's plan of care. LPN's at this level are, to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgment and possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art, and science of practical nursing. Function under policies and procedures approved by Nursing Service, their respective services, hospital, VISN 8, and VHA. The Licensed Practical Nurse serves as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team with an assigned patient load. Engages in nursing care, which requires the knowledge and skills represented by licensure as an LPN. The Licensed Practical Nurse maintains acceptable standards of practice under the direction of a Registered Nurse. Assignments are limited to situations demanding an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills. Responsible for selected long-term care patients. Other duties include but are not limited to: Although the position is under the supervision of an RN, employees in such settings successfully and consistently exercise independent technical judgment without the need for readily available supervision and have a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the more complex or difficult practices and procedures with little or not difficulty. Promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations and seeks assistance. Communicates effectively with the interdisciplinary team. LPNs at this level may serve as leaders or co-leaders in a nursing unit for specifically identified group of patients in the form of consistent Quality of Care Leaders adhering to the principles of the HATCH model in Long Term Care. Enters information about the patient's condition, an assessment of the patient's condition and a plan of action to carry out nursing care. Prepares and administers prescribed medications. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, education and training less experienced LPNs, NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures. Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm; 3:30 pm - Midnight; 11:30 pm - 8:00 am; rotating days, weekends, and holidays. Flexibility in the schedule is required to ensure adequate coverage for the service. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 30796F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN 8 Compensation Center of Excellence at for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. 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. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the NLNAC, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. 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. An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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: GS-07 Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans. Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. The LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. They must possess the ability to observe more subtle physical an emotional changes in patients, demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations. Ability to assist the RN or MD/DO address patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administer prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately record administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrate knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions. Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. Must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment demonstrating the ability to intervene when appropriate. Assists individuals or groups of patients and families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients/family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions. This includes the ability to deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision. Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient/family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes/incorporates established customer service standards their practice. Possess comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures/practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model/mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, guiding and directing their continuing practice. Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly report any deviations from normal practice patterns. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff. Work of considerable difficulty/responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. Preferred Experience: 2 years experience in Geriatrics, and working with SCI patients. Experience in utilizing dependability self direction, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Able to adapt and be flexible. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others .The incumbent must be able to demonstrate knowledge and ability to provide full range of complex technical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavior problems. 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, pushing, use a keyboard, and perform CPR. Transferring patients and objects using appropriate assistive devices, push/pull an occupied gurney may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or 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 able to perform all other activities of the position without restrictions. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Note: If your school was accredited at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the ACEN, CCNE, or DAPIP website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. (Please verify, failure to do so can result in an ineligible rating.) Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.