Licensed Practical Nurse - Renal Clinic

First consideration will be given to facility employees; Second consideration will be given to VHA employees; Third consideration will be to all others. Veterans are encouraged to apply and will receive full consideration. Duties

The LPN/LVN GS-7 will

Function independently for the care provided to an outpatient team in the Renal Clinic. Monitors schedules and consults and discuss issues with administrative and clerical staff when challenges to flow of the clinic arise. Coordinate care between multiples clinics/providers with Lebanon VA Medical Center and the community.

Assigns care to the most appropriate level of skill required for the tasks/duties. Determines priority of care needs and communicates to the other LPNs any expectations of care. Possesses the knowledge and skills to carry out more specialized patient care activities such as complex procedures, etc. The LPN 7 in Renal clinic is responsible for setting up home blood pressure monitoring, complex medication titration as established by the provider; serving as the liaison between community Hemodialysis Centers and this facility; serves as a liaison for setting up specialized care for port-a-caths, shunts, etc.; initiating difficult care conversations associated with the initiation of dialysis, resignation of dialysis/end of like care, etc. This individual will be responsible for observations of the veteran's present status are made and interventions implemented to improve, restore, or maintain the optimal function of the veteran.

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. The LPN 7 is responsible for acute and chronic renal insufficiency patients to ensure they maintain their treatment plan- managing care- similar to a Care Manager. The LPN 7 will be responsible for tracking the Veterans through to decompensation, thus requiring hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, to initiation of further workup, initiation of ports/shunts, and through the end of treatment.

Due to the nature of this patient population, this may require years of time intensive care conversations and care management not only with the Veteran but support people within their lives. Has knowledge of programs/specialty area's regulations and is able to carry out objectives of the Nursing department. In doing this, follows the guidelines to meet and maintain program requirements.

Will serve as technical/clinical resource for all issues related to Renal care/HD prior to and during accrediting body survey activities. Prepares and administers prescribed medications and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. The LPN/LVN observes physical and/or emotional changes in patient's health condition, and promptly and accurately reports identified changes/deviations to NM, ANM, or providers, and documents identified changes.

Performs support duties for diagnostic procedures, which include preparing the Veteran and monitoring the Veteran's condition, actively involved within the time out, and tracking any reusable medical equipment used during the procedure. Serves as a role model, mentor, and resource to other nursing staff within the Medicine Specialty Clinics, in the application of the nursing process and patient care. Coordinates the transfer of Veterans to a more acute level of care as applicable.

Performing support duties for transport to the Emergency Department (ED) as necessary. Performs other duties as assigned.

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4

Work

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 7:15am - 3:45pm 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 #: PD000000 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. 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. 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. 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: 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-7 Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. 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 and 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.

Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels. 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.

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…