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. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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 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. Transcripts must be submitted at time of application. Conferral of degree(s) must be stated on transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Exceptions include: Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. 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. Licensure: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or District of Columbia. English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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-07 LPN Completion of at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. Employees assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities: 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/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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13 II-G13-1 APPENDIX G13. LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Straight pulling; Pushing, 2 hours; Walking, 6 hours; Standing, 2 hours; Repeated bending, 6 hours; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Visual acuity 20/30 corrected; Working with hands in water; Working closely with others; ["The Lead (GS-7) LPN within the GMS Service Line Medical Center and/or the Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's) in VA Puget Sound supports and demonstrates an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction to provide care for the Veteran population. Works as the lead LPN for the shift and in the team LPN/LVN huddles; initiating/assisting with emergency care, assessing work area needed and ensuring coverage for staff who are absent and balanced workloads, offering assistance in busy areas to ensure timely completion of patient care and work responsibilities. Assists 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. 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. Oversees the work of all LPN's assigned to primary care within their assigned location. Identifies educational needs of the LPN's and ensure that the needs are addressed. Prepares, documents and submits to the Nurse Manager, all mid-term and end of year employee performance evaluations within established timelines. Ensures timely completion of all required staff training of competencies and TMS. Plans and organizes work with little assistance from the supervisor as to meet local and VA wide time frames for clinic operations and patient and patient care. Responsible for reporting safety issues, environmental round concerns, uncooperative Veterans and staff, and difficulties in meeting assigned deadlines. Expected to devise procedures and plans for accomplishing the goals of the supervisor and to prioritize his/her own work and activities based on an independent assessment of the needs of the program. Works as a liaison between management and staff LPN's. Serves as Team lead for LPN's on the PACT Teams, orienting and mentoring LPN's on the PACT Best Practice to promote consistency, excellence and adherence to standards under the general supervision of the RN Manager/and or designee. Conducts regular, informal reviews of area documentation and techniques to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Monitors scheduled leave requests for LPN's and provides coverage for critical areas during staff leave times. Monitors the workload and alerts for all teams' members to ensure that backlogs are being addressed. Exhibits skills, creativity and initiative by contributing to the overall Veteran Care Delivery, and improving satisfaction, though active participation on committees, task forces and the readiness preparation for environmental of care, clinic surveys and inspections to improve nursing practice and patient care. Demonstrates the knowledge, skills and ability to perform treatments, procedures and the use and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment appropriate to assigned duties. Contributes to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Assists the RN/Provider in addressing patients need for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications, performing skilled nursing care on a regular and re-occurring basis and is responsible for documenting and observing medical care and treatment. Prepares and performs a wide range of nursing tasks consistent with policies and procedures, such as personal nursing care, medication/treatment, support for diagnostic services, documentation, teaching, leadership, and environmental of care duties. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8 hour shift 8AM - 4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: NOT Authorized EDRP Authorized: Please contact the VISN 20 EDRP Coordinator Stacy Hermann @ V20CompensationTeam@va.gov Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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