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VA Portland Health Care System is a Complexity Level 1a Facility and provides extensive primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary care in outpatient, inpatient, residential, and community settings. VAPORHCS is a multi-site medical system that includes a major medical facility in Portland, Oregon, outpatient and residential facilities in Vancouver, Washington, and 10 Community Based Outpatient Clinics. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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). 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 paragraph 4, section C. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-3. 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-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs below:Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; orGraduation 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; orGraduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. GS-5 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. 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.References: VA Handbook 5005The 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. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds, Light carrying, under 15 pounds, Pushing ( 1-2 hours), Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (4 hours), Standing (4 hours), Repeated bending (2 hours), Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Both eyes required, Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid permitted), Other (specify below), Mental & emotional stability required. ["The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is assigned to the VA Portland Health Care System, Chemotherapy Unit located within the Division of Hospital and Specialty Medicine (DHSM). The LPN functions as a team member under the direction of the Registered Nurse or Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP) i.e. NP or MD. The LPN works with interdisciplinary team members, providing patient driven care to Veterans served primarily by the Hematology/Oncology team and other specialty services as needed. The incumbent is responsible for providing medical assistive care and administrative support when needed. The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to perform a focused assessment, observe, identify and intervene to address patient care needs, such as administering non-chemotherapy IV/IM/PO/SQ medications, nutritional support, specimen collection, support of activities of daily living, perform varied treatment procedures, use of the equipment that assists with direct patient care and ability to recognize and report any deviations from normal. The incumbent will be able to perform lab draws, start and maintain peripheral IVs and provide central line care including access/de-access of implanted venous ports. The incumbent must understand patient safety principles and is responsible for participating in patient education, documentation and other duties as assigned. The incumbent performs age-appropriate care, uses techniques to appropriately de-escalate disruptive patients and communicates effectively with internal and external customers. Has the 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. Has the 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. Has the 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. Has the 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. Has the 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. Work Schedule: 8 hours between the hours of 0600-1700 Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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