Licensed Vocational Nurse - Ambulatory Surgery Unit

Summary

The Ambulatory Surgery Unit LVN/LPN GS-6 is responsible for providing direct patient care to and assisting with care coordination to the ambulatory surgery unit and clinic, supporting services and clinics throughout the VA San Diego Healthcare System. Ambulatory Surgery Unit and clinics can operate up to 12 hours/day, Monday-Friday. Flexibility is expected as operations evolve and require adequate nursing support.

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Duties

The Licensed Vocational Nurse in Ambulatory Surgical Unit (ASU) at the GS-6 level assumes the following responsibilities:

• Provides direct patient care and support for the patient
• Responds to emergent patient conditions in a safe and effective manner, i.e., effectively recognizes life- threatening situations and takes immediate action
• Administers medications and treatments to patients with complex nursing problems.
• Demonstrate mandatory and clinical competencies of the position.
• Recognizes changes in patient's condition and deviations from baseline that require immediate intervention.
• Recognizes potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, and able to rapidly call a "Rapid Response Treatment (RRT)" or "Code Blue" emergency.
• Ability to recognize changes in a patient's condition, such as shortness of breath, changes in skin condition (i.e., diaphoresis, flushness), tachycardia, or sudden loss of consciousness.
• Provides direct patient care to ambulatory surgical and procedural patients in accordance with hospital policies and practice standards and guidelines.
• Administers medications and treatments to patients as required for pre- and post-surgical/procedural care.
• Provide direct patient care and support for the ambulatory surgery clinics, assisting nurse practitioners and/or registered nurses as needed.
• Coordinate care, including patients as well as ancillary staff from procedure areas, as needed,
• Assure patients have diagnostic tests prior to surgery.
• Educates patients on pre-operative instructions and/or discharge instructions related to their disease process, treatment plan, and documents accordingly.
• Screen patients in clinic and via telephone call.
• Schedule labs, procedures, tests, and other services as needed.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.
  
  

Preferred Characteristics: Graduate of an accredited LVN program, with 2 years current/active experience as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN); 2 years inpatient medical surgical experience; Preferred clinical experience providing care in perioperative setting: pre/intra/post-procedural phases of care; Experience collecting blood and urine samples for laboratory testing; experience as EKG technician; ability to start IV's; Preferred experience in a procedural setting, assisting with minor procedures; Knowledge of personal computer and data entry, email retrieval, Internet and Microsoft office software; Ability to effectively collaborate with all members of the interdisciplinary team; Current BLS through American Heart Association

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0630-1600

Telework: Not Authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
  
  

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship. United States Citizenship
• English Language. Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• 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.
• 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:
• 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.
• VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) 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.
• Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.

Grade Determinations:

• GS-6 Experience: 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. LPN must be technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing car to variable patient populations; Possess 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; Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs; Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures; Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations; Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations.
  
  

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds); Moderate carrying (up to 44 pounds); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking, kneeling and standing up to 1.5 hours; repeated bending; both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted).

Education


IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.



Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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