This is a full-time LPN job opportunity within the Surgical Clinics at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT . Eligible applications received will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/10/2023. 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: Written and Spoken Physical Standards: All applicants must meet the physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to employment may be required. 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. 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. 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. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Preferred Experience: Minimum 2 years of experience as an LPN; Outpatient experience preferred; Experience assisting with surgical and/or outpatient procedures preferred. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A, 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. GS-4 Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or Graduation from an approved school 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-5 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-6 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 the 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, cultural, spiritual, 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/27, Part II, Appendix G13, LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated April 10, 2003. 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. ["The Licensed Practical Nurse in the Surgical Clinics must be able to competently perform all nursing skills and procedures within the scope of licensure; possess the knowledge of to safely administer medications, and apply the nursing process (focused assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation) to anticipate needs and plan care for the adult and geriatric patient with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. The LPN must have a demonstrated ability to recognize and independently respond to urgent and emergent situations; the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with both internal and external customers; the ability to identify customer concerns, perform the tasks required to resolve the issues accurately and timely and follow-up as necessary to ensure a satisfactory resolution, ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities in order to provide and expedite patient care; the ability to utilize knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations and use this knowledge to work effectively with patients, families and the care team. The LPN must be able to assess life threatening conditions and initiate and/or assist with CPR or other appropriate interventions including prompt notification of an RN or MD to provide appropriate direction and intervention; knowledge and skills in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized surgical procedures which includes preparation of the patient, supplies, instruments, and/or equipment for the exam, assisting with the exam and monitoring the patient. The LPN will use sound judgment when responding to patient calls from the call center; maintain responsibility for rooming patients using proper patient identification technique; perform appropriate surgical clinic nursing documentation dependent on patient needs, i.e., Pain assessment, allergy assessment, suicide risk assessment, education assessment, education record, MRSA consent, telephone contact reports, etc. In addition, the incumbent will: Obtain vital signs as needed for clinic specialty assigned. Provide post visit education with patients as needed Distribute surgical site and other pre-operative education as appropriate Obtain various clinic specimens, ensuring proper labeling of specimens Maintain understanding of correct site protocol and participates in time out procedure Assist in various clinic procedures as trained and signed off based on specialty clinics assigned, i.e., cystoscopy and prostate biopsies (GU), biopsy procedures, fine needle aspirations (ENT), hemorrhoid banding (Proctology), etc. Administer medications as ordered by provider (Urology clinic primarily) Administer bladder immunotherapy agents as per provider order (GU clinic only) Perform catheter insertion as per provider (GU clinic) Enter scope and probe data into master scope database as needed based on clinic assigned Review spine clinic plan of care and provides post visit education with patients as needed (Pain clinic only) Performs post spine clinic visit call to ensure patient is following plan of care and allow time for questions (Pain clinic only) Assist with scheduling of pain injection procedures. Reviews pre-injection instructions with patients as per provider. Ensures that all appropriate consults/orders are placed prior to procedure (Pain clinic only) Perform correct handling of non-critical, semi-critical and critical RME in various clinics and maintain up to date Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) competencies for all pieces of RME handled Set up clinic rooms as needed for clinic procedures, aware of steps taken to ensure a sterile field Perform removal of acupuncture needles and assist in staple/suture/cast removal Perform dressing changes as requested by provider Review patient electronic medical record to ensure appropriate testing has been completed prior to clinic visit, particularly radiologic studies, and communicates with providers need to order necessary imaging Obtain clinical information needed for assigned specialty clinic prior to patient visit as requested by provider, example EMGs, audiograms, etc. Maintain a thorough understanding of clinic equipment and procedures to follow for broken equipment. Maintain cleanliness and appropriate par level of medical supplies in each clinic area, ensuring no outdated supplies are present; maintain up to date knowledge on the medical supplies required to run clinic efficiently and effectively Function as preceptor as needed for newly hired staff; all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Nurse Manager Work Schedule: Multiple schedules, 8:30am - 5:00 pm , 8:00 am - 4:30 pm and 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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