Summary The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) provides care to patients and works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team, providing hands-on care and support to Veterans with spinal cord injuries in the home setting. The LVN promptly reports any complications, changes in the patient's condition, or concerns to the RN and the healthcare team, ensuring coordinated and timely medical intervention to maintain the patient's health and well-being. Responsibilities The Spinal Cord Injury Home Care duties include: This position requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as this is a complex healthcare system that encompasses a variety of Inpatient and Outpatient services to Veterans. Obtains/collects specimens as ordered. Provides direct patient care and support for the patient. Recognizes changes in patient's condition and deviations from baseline that require immediate intervention. Responds to emergent patient conditions in a safe and effective manner, i.e., effectively recognizes life- threatening situations and takes immediate action. Executes interventions in accordance with treatment plans. Completes CPRS documentation and signs all patient related activity while following documentation timelines and protocols (i.e., within tour of duty, closing encounters per policy). Documentation is factual, objective, accurate, consistent, timely, and complete in electronic medical record. Maintains confidentiality of patient information. Provides timely patient follow-up. Assists with coordinating care of patient. Provide patient education related to managing risk factors, medications, procedures, and other medical regimens related to disease process/specialty clinic, within scope of practice. Adheres to ethical principles and standards in delivering care. Collaborates and communicates effectively with the Interdisciplinary Care Team regarding patient care. Demonstrate mandatory and clinical competencies of the position. Educates patients on provided discharge instructions related to their disease process, ensuring the patient can ask questions. Recognizes changes in patient's condition and deviations from baseline that require immediate intervention. Apply infection control measures appropriately in delivering care. Alerts providers (physicians/nurse practitioners) of abnormal signs and symptoms and/or abnormal test results to expedite care. Participates in coaching and mentoring of colleagues or new employees. Participates in daily DMS huddles and unit specific staff meetings. Provides in-services related to team building or specialty care as needed. Evaluates and documents patient response to interventions and progress towards attainment of goals and expected outcomes. Seeks opportunity for self-improvement. Participates in continuous performance improvements. Performs bedside Point of Care testing, to include nasal swabs. Recognizes potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, and able to rapidly call a "Rapid Response Treatment (RRT)" or "Code Blue" emergency. The LVN/LPN must be able to recognize changes in a patient's condition, such as shortness of breath, changes in skin condition (i.e., diaphoresis, flushness), tachycardia, or sudden loss of consciousness. Knowledge of external regulatory standards relevant to the scope and protocols of the position, such as the Joint Commission to meet accreditation standards and the mission and goals of VASDHS. Demonstrate ability to be self-directed in clinical practice and works to the maximum of licensure scope. Actively participates in interdisciplinary committees, task forces or other groups to improve organizational performance through collaboration with other health care providers across service lines for the betterment of the patient. Performs venipuncture and specimen collection per provider order including blood, urine, sputum, and nasal swabs. Reports abnormal lab values. Assists patients in transitioning from the medical center to the community. Maintains knowledge of the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and The Joint Commission (TJC) standards to support accreditation, patient safety, and the mission and goals of VASDHS. Actively participates and assists coordinating Home Care Committee meetings. May function as a presenter during Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT) home visit encounters and is responsible for preparing the clinical environment, including medical and telecommunications equipment to be used for clinical examination and treatment, providing hands on assistance, and reporting clinical examination and treatment, providing hands on assistance, and reporting clinical observations under the direction of a licensed independent practitioner or clinical specialist, establishing, and maintaining video conferencing connections and making introductions between the Veteran and provider sites. Completes medication review and fills medication organizes in home. Completes specializing training for toenail trimming in the home. Incorporates into the nursing plan of care when clinically appropriate. Serves as a resource for interdisciplinary team members. Routinely drives to Veterans homes. Maintains requirements to operate government vehicle. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: M- F, 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. 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-7. The GS-7 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. (a) 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. (b) Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Knowledge base 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. (c) Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute 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. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations. (d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the 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. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels. (e) Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or 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. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate. (f) Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or 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 effectively deal with the above @types of patients under very general supervision. (g) Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice. (h) Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas. (i) Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO. 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. (j) Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision. Preferred Experience: SCI/Rehab Experience; 2 yrs LVN experience in Homecare Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds); Moderate carrying (up to 44 pounds); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking, kneeling and standing up to 1.5 hours; repeated bending; both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information 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. 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.
