U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Licensed Vocational Nurse (PACT) - EDRP


Pay$47844.00 - $87071.00 / year
LocationAustin/Texas
Employment typeFull-Time

This job is now closed

  • Job Description

      Req#: 737221300
      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.

      Duties


      The Austin Outpatient Clinic (AOPC) is a fast-paced outpatient primary care clinic with 24 Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) across 5 desks on the first and second floor of the building. A Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) involves each Veteran working with healthcare professionals to plan for whole-person care and life-long health and wellness. Each team has approximately 900-1200 patients assigned to them, and each team will see approximately 16 patients daily. The patient population consists of male and female Veterans from the early 20s to the end of life with multiple comorbidities. The patient population has medical and psychological issues, which makes the nurse-patient encounter unique. We operate Monday through Friday currently with possible extended hours and/or Saturday clinics

      Major duties include, but not limited to:


      Requirements



      Qualifications


      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 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]. 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 LVN licensure will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment.
        • 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.
        • 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 vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia.
      • English Language Proficiency: Licensed vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English.
      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:
      • 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: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-04 if they meet any of the following criteria:
        • 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-04 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.]
      The GS-06 qualification standards and Preferred Experience are listed in the Education Section of this announcement.
  • About the company

      The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with integrating life-long healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 1700 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the country.