Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc.
Licensed Practical Nurse-Primary Care
Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc., Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
Summary
This position is located within Primary Care at Saint Cloud VA Medical Center in Saint Cloud - MN. As a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - you will be an integral member of the nursing team - providing direct patient care and education to Veterans. Within the Primary Care setting - care is focused on empowering Veterans to effectively manage their health. This includes implementing nursing interventions that support self-care and promote overall wellness.
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) and 7407(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
(See Education section of this announcement for exceptions.) 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-03 - 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-04 - Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
OR 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
GS-05 - Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
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
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
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
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
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
GS-06 - 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
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
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 registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures
Ability to observe - identify - and respond to a 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 - socio-economic - and age-related factors
Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments - promptly and accurately documenting noted changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO
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
Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery
Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and/or other internal/external customers
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
Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures
Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS- 6.
Duties
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
Repayment is limited to $40 -000 annually - up to $100 -000 in lifetime awards
Participants must sign a three-year service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program
Contact VHAV23SLRP@va.gov for more information
Duties include but are not limited to: Delivers nursing care to patients in accordance with facility protocols - adhering to all VA and nursing policies and standards
Rooming patients - measuring weight - height - and vital signs - and completing clinical reminders
Aids RNs and providers during special procedures by preparing patients - securing necessary supplies - and monitoring during the procedure
Supports providers with specialized injections - wound care - joint aspirations - and other minor procedures relevant to the clinic
Executes various procedures such as ear lavages - bladder scans - glucometer control tests - and quality control checks - along with administering medications - immunizations - and oxygen
Performs venipunctures - EKGs - Holter monitor placements - and pulmonary function tests
Administers and monitors medications through various routes - including oral - topical - subcutaneous - and intravenous methods
Reports any discrepancies to the Nurse Manager or designated personnel and assists in the accurate counting and management of controlled substances
Conducts medication reconciliation - including non-VA and co-managed care
Documents all care activities in compliance with established policies - including necessary forms and specimen labeling
Participates in patient/family teaching programs related to health promotion and reinforces instructions provided by the Registered Nurse and/or Provider
Conducts telephone and/or face-to-face patient appointments to collect data to address or route appropriately - facilitates medication renewals - completes 48-hour discharge follow-up calls - answers questions and provides information within scope of practice
Assists in the coordination of patient care activities with other departments - services - and facilities
Assists in the daily facilitation and operational flow of the clinics
Collaborates with clinical coordinators and tele-health staff to implement - monitor - and improve overall tele-health programs
Collaborates with clinical coordinators and administrative staff to incorporate health promotion and disease prevention strategies into the clinics
Participates in unit committees and activities as directed
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M.-4:30 P.M Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination
This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear and distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
It also involves potentially long periods of walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing.
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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) and 7407(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
(See Education section of this announcement for exceptions.) 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-03 - 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-04 - Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
OR 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
GS-05 - Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
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
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
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
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
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
GS-06 - 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
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
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 registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures
Ability to observe - identify - and respond to a 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 - socio-economic - and age-related factors
Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments - promptly and accurately documenting noted changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO
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
Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery
Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and/or other internal/external customers
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
Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures
Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS- 6.
Duties
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
Repayment is limited to $40 -000 annually - up to $100 -000 in lifetime awards
Participants must sign a three-year service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program
Contact VHAV23SLRP@va.gov for more information
Duties include but are not limited to: Delivers nursing care to patients in accordance with facility protocols - adhering to all VA and nursing policies and standards
Rooming patients - measuring weight - height - and vital signs - and completing clinical reminders
Aids RNs and providers during special procedures by preparing patients - securing necessary supplies - and monitoring during the procedure
Supports providers with specialized injections - wound care - joint aspirations - and other minor procedures relevant to the clinic
Executes various procedures such as ear lavages - bladder scans - glucometer control tests - and quality control checks - along with administering medications - immunizations - and oxygen
Performs venipunctures - EKGs - Holter monitor placements - and pulmonary function tests
Administers and monitors medications through various routes - including oral - topical - subcutaneous - and intravenous methods
Reports any discrepancies to the Nurse Manager or designated personnel and assists in the accurate counting and management of controlled substances
Conducts medication reconciliation - including non-VA and co-managed care
Documents all care activities in compliance with established policies - including necessary forms and specimen labeling
Participates in patient/family teaching programs related to health promotion and reinforces instructions provided by the Registered Nurse and/or Provider
Conducts telephone and/or face-to-face patient appointments to collect data to address or route appropriately - facilitates medication renewals - completes 48-hour discharge follow-up calls - answers questions and provides information within scope of practice
Assists in the coordination of patient care activities with other departments - services - and facilities
Assists in the daily facilitation and operational flow of the clinics
Collaborates with clinical coordinators and tele-health staff to implement - monitor - and improve overall tele-health programs
Collaborates with clinical coordinators and administrative staff to incorporate health promotion and disease prevention strategies into the clinics
Participates in unit committees and activities as directed
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M.-4:30 P.M Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination
This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear and distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
It also involves potentially long periods of walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing.
#J-18808-Ljbffr