Career Center

Summary

The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System is hiring for one Licensed Practical Nurse - Telehealth for the Lawton VA Clinic. This will be a float position with regular travel during the the tour of duty within the catchment area. This job requires operation of a government vehicle and the employee must possess a valid and unrestricted drivers license.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship 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 licensure section below
• 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
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English
• Grade Requirements
• Practical Nurse 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• The full performance level is a GS-06
• This job announcement is for a GS-7. Physical Requirements: The position involves considerable standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting - and turning
• It requires restraining confused patients - repositioning patients - assisting with transferring patients to Wheelchairs/stretchers/cars - and transporting them to other departments or facilities
• Mechanical devices available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients
• The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs
• References: VA Handbook 5005/3 - Part II - Appendix G13
• Preferred Experience: This will be a float position with regular travel during the the tour of duty within the catchment area
• This job requires operation of a government vehicle and the employee must possess a valid and unrestricted drivers license.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - GS-7 supports designated complex telehealth programs through the use of advanced technical skillsets and performs more complex nursing assignments within their setting at the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System
• The LPN possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices such as performing Pulmonary Function Test (PFT's) - TeleDermatology imaging - TeleRetinal imaging - TeleAudiology testing and hearing aid adjustments - performing wound care - specialty wheelchair adjustments - etc
• This LPN is responsible for day-to-day operation of telehealth services at the assigned location and between the assigned location and remote sites of care as well as participating in the programmatic development and advanced support of the facility-wide telehealth program
• Other duties include - but are not limited to: Technically proficient in initiating - performing - and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations and assists other staff
• Utilizing computer programs required for the position
• Carries 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
• Observes - identifies - and responds to the patient's needs for 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
• Utilizing principles of aseptic technique - universal precautions - and isolations requirements
• Prepares the clinical environment - which may include preparing medical and telecommunications equipment to be used for clinical examination and treatment
• Performs specialized imaging and testing in accordance with national guidelines - as well as 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
• Taking and recording in the medical record: clinical data from testing - imaging - height - blood pressure - pulse - respiration - pulse oximeter - temperate - pain score - weight - and neurological check
• Collecting specimens - urine - feces - sputum - etc. - and appropriately prepare and transports specimens to the laboratory
• Completes standardized clinical documentation and templates within the scope of training - required timeframes - and applicable guidelines ensuring that patient privacy is protected by complying with all information security and patient privacy regulations
• Completes encounters appropriately
• Works collaboratively with supervisor and leadership
• Accurately and consistently reports and records significant veteran information received from other team members and is able to analyze and implement modifications based on these reports - communicates changes - concerns and issues about patient or other work-related situations to the supervisor as soon as they occur
• Is adept at encouraging and communicating with challenge psychological and physical behaviors to promote optimal functioning
• Uses treatment modalities and implements appropriate practices and procedures with complex patients
• Utilizes skills to influence and communicate with difficult and challenging veterans and families
• Maintains a positive understanding and helpful attitude toward patient - patient families and coworkers
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 0630-1700 Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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) Functional Statement #: 56291-A