Licensed Vocational Nurse - EDRP/Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized

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. 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.
This job is open to

• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency
This is an "external" announcement and is open to the public. Current permanent VA employees and current permanent Federal employees are encouraged to apply under the "internal" announcement to receive consideration based on their current employment status: CAZM-12193432-24-MLD
Videos
Duties
A Community Living Center (CLC) is a VA Nursing Home. Unlike many nursing homes in the past, a community Living Center resembles "home" as much as possible. It is a place where Veterans can receive nursing home level care, which includes help with activities of daily living (e.g., bathing and getting dressed) and skilled nursing, medical care and hospice services. The CLC provides 24-hour skilled nursing care, restorative care, respite care, and hospice services. CLC Licensed Vocational Nurses provide face-to-face care with patients utilizing interpersonal skills in a fast paced environment. One-to-one care is provided for patients including vital signs, basic assessments, medication administration, wound care, infection control, skin hygiene & wound prevention. The LVN presence in the day to day care is a valuable resource that is complex and necessary. They are the intermediary between the RN staff, nursing assistant and other members of the care team.
Kerrville CLC is encouraging applicants from New Graduate to Expert Vocational Nurses to join our Care Team!

• Provide patient care to Long Term Care/Geriatric (GEC), Community Living Centers.
• Assist RNs in implementing plans of care, prioritization of client needs, relevance of nursing diagnosis, individualization of interventions, expected veteran-resident outcomes, and quality of documentation.
• Assist Nurse Manager (NM) in promoting professional development and motivation for employees to work at optimal efficiency. Ensures relevant training is completed.
• Assist RN through collaboration with peers and other healthcare professionals in coordinating care.
• Assist RN in delivering nursing care. Demonstrate sound clinical judgment in making decisions.
• Administer medications as ordered or collaborate with RN and/or NP/MD if suspects a medication should not be administered.
• Assist NM and ANM in compiling data in a timely manner including but not limited to: performance improvement / quality improvement reports; schedules; certified time; workload requests; and patient care data reviews.
• Assist NM/ANM in completing special assignments and is a contributing member of Nursing Service.
• Participate in committees and working groups that work on improving the quality of care and/or the working conditions with-in the facility.
• Document patient care according to prescribed procedures, and maintain an objective relationship with the peers and residents.
• Support and participate in open communication with coworkers and residents.
• Able to recognize and respond to urgent needs appropriately utilizing critical thinking skills.
• Utilize good communication skills to identify and resolve problems/issues on the unit.
• Update the ANM/RN when appropriate with accurate and necessary information regarding issues that have occurred.
• Participate in career development through periodic need assessments, and scheduling of training / in-services, continuing education programs, and participation in committees and councils/meetings. Ensure completion of annual mandatory training requirements and competency statements.
• Assist in the coordination and orientation of newly assigned staff and participate in care-planning process for assigned residents
• Provide wound care as directed by RN, NP, MD.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position with a work requirement of 80 hours per biweekly pay period. Work is scheduled Sunday - Saturday, available 8 hour tours of duty including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Rotation of schedule may be required for other shifts based on patient care and needs of the service. Note: Vacancies may not presently exist for all work schedules but may become available at any point during the opening period of this vacancy announcement.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse
Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN17EDRP2@VA.GOV, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until November 1, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be November 15, 2023, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.
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 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(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.
• 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).
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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).
References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13, 4/10/2003
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.
Physical Requirements: This position requires Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, Straight pulling (1 hour), Pushing (1-3 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (4 hours), Standing (2-7 hours), Kneeling (2 hours), Repeated bending (2 hours), Climbing, use of legs and arms, Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Specific visual requirement of 20/40 DVA; corrected, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted), Sitting (8 hours), Simple grasping (2-4 hours) Fine manipulation (including keyboarding 4-6 hours), Twisting (2 hours), Mental and emotional stability.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, 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. 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: 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.
• 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 Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (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 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.
  • (g) 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.

**QUALIFICATION CONTINUED BELOW:
Education
**QUALIFICATION CONTINUED: Grade Determination:

• 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 bas...