This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) vacancies in the Community Living Center (CLC) at the Erie VA Medical Center and will remain open until 12/30/24. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 12/09/24, with subsequent cut-off dates weekly. The LPN demonstrates unit/department specific competencies, and competency in caring for adult and geriatric patients/residents/residents. 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 a. 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. b. 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 National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. Exceptions include: (1) 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. (2) VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401 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. 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. 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. d. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. e. 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. Grade Determination. 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. (1) 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. (2) GS-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or (b) Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) 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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. (d) LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. (3) GS-5. (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. (b) 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. (c) Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and 4 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. (f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. (4) 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 (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, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors. or care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education. In organizing and delivering care, the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, 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. (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. Preferred Experience: Long-term care. 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 in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. ["Major Duties Include but not limited to: Explains procedures to residents, using language which they understand and displays consideration of individual age related and gender specific resident needs. Ensures that the physical and emotional environment is consistent with the vision for resident-centered care. Maintains self-control and responds consistently to the requirements of the work situation, shows flexibility. Responds to residents calls for assistance promptly and interacts with the resident in a tactful, courteous manner, making customer service the focus of all interactions. Communicates respectfully and works effectively with administrative staff, the health care team, unit staff, residents, and visitors. Provides emotional support to residents, and families/significant others to assist them in adjusting to changes brought about by illness or change in health status. Establishes constructive relationship with individual residents to elicit feelings and attitudes and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual resident and family/significant other rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Serves as Veteran's/family/significant others' advocate. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with residents, family members/significant others and/or internal/external customers. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing assignments, including assignments for long-term, short-term rehabilitation, respite, hospice/palliative care, and psychiatric residents requiring skilled nursing care. Correctly documents medications given or omitted in Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) according to established policy and procedures. Documents effects of medications. As an interdisciplinary team member, provides input into the care planning process, assists and provides teaching in activities of daily living (ADLs) to residents and encourages them to participate in ADLs leading to increase independence. Provides or reinforces resident/family/significant other teaching related to medications, disease process, procedures, and self-care activities. Considers physical, emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic and age-related factors. Participates in more complex teaching for resident self-care, such as diabetic care, self-catheterization, etc. in anticipation of discharge. Participates in a restorative program based on the needs of resident. Performs a wide range of treatments and procedures utilizing established nursing care plans and auxiliary equipment according to policy, including but not limited to: application of heat and cold, wound care, changing complex sterile and clean dressings, administering suppositories, cleansing and retention enemas, tube feedings, weights, vital signs, glucose finger sticks, specimen collection, intake and output, colostomy irrigation, oxygen, orthopedic traction, spirometry, nebulizer treatments, and standard 12 lead EKGs, and care of well-established tracheostomies and laryngectomies. Performs oropharyngeal, tracheostomy, and tracheal suctioning, and tracheostomy and laryngectomy care. Adheres to and appropriately utilizes the Safe Patient Handling Program standards, practices, and recommendations. Lifts, transfers, and repositions residents safely, according to policy and procedure, seeking assistance when appropriate, to prevent injury to the resident and self. Prepares residents for tests, examinations, treatments, and surgery. Assists Licensed Independent Practitioner with a variety of diagnostic procedures by setting up trays, supplies, and equipment, using sterile technique. These procedures include, but not limited to: insertion of chest tubes, thoracentesis, paracentesis, lumbar puncture, and liver biopsies. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs or NAs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures. Consistently follows environmental policies and procedures related to the Erie VAMC GEMS Program, recycling, and the safe use, handling and disposal of chemical products. Follows policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental regulations and requirements and be good stewards of the environment through pollution prevention, waste minimization and resource conservation. Work Schedule: Rotating tours including weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible: Possibility of compressed will be considered. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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