Licensed Practical Nurse - PACT

The public U. S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U. S. Federal employees - Excepted service Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria. Internal to an agency Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement. Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies, and all US Citizens. Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1). Current permanent VA employees of the facility. 2). All other VA employees. 3). Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies. 4). All other applicants. Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Major duties include, but not limited to

Providing extended and intensive pastoral counseling as an integral part of the treatment program with patients facing complex, ethical, moral, and spiritual issues. Ensuring program effectiveness and modification of service pattern, which includes research and leadership of clinical teams. Serving as a Chaplain representative and a fully recognized member of an interdisciplinary treatment team (IDT).

Advising and collaborating with other members of the IDT to provide comprehensive healthcare services to Veterans. Working with a full understanding of Chaplains' relationships to the objectives of VHA to successfully integrate the work of the medical facility's staff. Maintaining effective rapport with physicians, medical officers, psychologists, nurses, therapists, social workers, or others involved with the IDT.

Providing leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs. Conducting comprehensive religious services and worship, pastoral ministry, and administration of Chaplain services. Leading various complex and sensitive projects, task groups, and assignments to obtain pertinent high-level information needed for Chaplain Service management officials.

Engaging as a spiritual leader, a compassionate listener, and counselor, especially during times of crisis. Providing emotional support and counseling using empathy and strong interpersonal skills to effectively connect with people of all ages. Providing thorough spiritual leadership, offers prayers, and provides overall religious services for Veteran patients, patient families, staff, and community.

Conducting regular rounds of hospital wards where patients are critically ill. Building strong interpersonal relationships with patients and ensures all patients are provided opportunities for the free exercise of religion. Using thorough knowledge of different faiths to perform various religious rituals, lead prayers, and answer spiritual questions.

Maintaining records and appropriately documenting chaplaincy care services in the Electronic Health Record Management (EHRM) system/Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) through either service approved template or Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan (SOAP) note format. Providing referrals for continuity of spiritual care. Providing appropriate education and training to other healthcare staff and trainees to screen for spiritual and religious needs and the importance of appropriate referrals to chaplains for complex spiritual distress.

Coordinating with community organizations to ensure the provision of comprehensive spiritual care, including interested community organizations, local clubs, church groups, special agencies, business organizations, and other stakeholders, to sustain the necessary links with the outside community. Administering ordinances, rites or sacraments; prepares and delivers sermons; arranges for the atmosphere and symbolism of worship; and conducts funeral services when needed.

Work

Schedule

(for Excelsior Springs VA Clinic) 7:00am -3:30pm, Monday - Friday; (for Kansas City VA Medical Center) 7:45am - 4:15pm, Monday - Friday Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year).

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 589-22-138/GS-3; 589-22-139/GS-4; 589-22-140/GS-5; 589-22-141/GS-6 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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. English Language Proficiency.

In accordance with 38 U. S. C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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.

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 or OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN. Licensure. Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following criteria must be met.

Qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.

GS-03 None beyond the basic requirements.

Gs-04

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. 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-05 Completion of at least one (1) year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.

Applicants at this level must also be able to demonstrate all of the following KSA's: 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…