### JOB SUMMARY:
Vacancy Identification Number (VIN) 1453278
**OUR MISSION**: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise – "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" – by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans.
Vacancies exist for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN's) in Inpatient Mental Health (7S) within **Nursing Service** at the Dayton VA Medical Center.
These are bargaining unit positions.
**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.**
### TRAVEL REQUIRED
* Not Required
### RELOCATION AUTHORIZED
* No
### KEY REQUIREMENTS
* Must pass pre-employment examination
* Must be proficient in written and spoken English
* Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required
* Background and-or Security Investigation required
* Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
* Copy of Licensure verification is required to be submitted
* * *
### DUTIES:
Incumbent will be assigned to Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Unit which delivers quality service to patients in need of crisis stabilization and acute psychiatric intervention. The incumbent will work in the Inpatient health unit which provides care and treatment for patients with acute psychiatric diagnosis, dual diagnosis, including substance abuse, PTSD and TBI.
**** PLEASE SEE THE "REQUIRED DOCUMENTS" SECTION BELOW TO SUBMIT A COMPLETE PACKET****
**Work Schedule:**** **
**Days (7:30 a.m. - 4p.m.), Evenings (3:30p.m.- Midnight), Nights (11:30-8:00a.m.) Including weekends and holidays; Shifts will be discussed during the selection process.**
**Functional Statement Title/#:******000000
* * *
### QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
**Basic Requirements:**
* **U.S. citizenship**. Non-citizens may 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. 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.
** Physical Standards**. See Directive and Handbook 50019
**** **English Language Proficiency.**Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English
Preferred Experience:
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
**Grade Determinations:**
Grade Determination. 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-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 3b(2)(a) through (c) below:
(a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or
(b) Graduation 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; or
(c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
(d) 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** (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.
**GS-6** (a) 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.
(b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
(e) 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.
(f) 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.
(g) 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.
(h) 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.
(i) 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.
(j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice.
**References:** VA Handbook,5005, Part II, Appendix G13, Licensed Practical Nurse or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard.
**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.
**Physical Requirements:**Applicant must pass a pre employment physical. Ability to withstand periods of standing (6-8 hours), walking (6-8 hours), recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, and similar activities.
### HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
**NOTE:**The full performance level of this vacancy is 06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of03to06. The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will recommend the grade and salary for new appointments. For internal selectees being promoted, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.****
* * *
### BENEFITS:
VA offers a comprehensive benefits package. This link provides is an overview of the benefits currently offered:http://www.vacareers.va.gov/why-choose-va/benefits/index.asp.**
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave:** Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
### OTHER INFORMATION:
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
* * *
### HOW TO APPLY:
**All applicants are encouraged to apply online.**
**To apply for this position**, you must complete the View Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday, August 21, 2015 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click **Apply Online** to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click **Submit My Answers** to submit your application package.
*NOTE*: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
### REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
All applicants are _**required**_ to submit the following supporting document type(s):
* Resume
Applicants may also submit the following supporting document type(s),which may not be required for all applicants:
* Other
* SF-50
******VA Form 10-2850c** - Application for Associated Health Occupations **(required)**. Available at the VA Forms website: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=10-2850&tkey=&Action=Search
Please use this checklist__to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify),documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
**Veterans' Preference:** When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. For more information, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.
**Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents:**You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents to your online application, follow the directions located at the following site: Fax Options. The Vacancy ID of the job opportunity announcement is 1453278.
*NOTE*: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203-FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
### AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
Kim M. Hillyer
Phone: (937)268-6511x1257
Email: KIM.HILLYER@VA.GOV
Agency Information:
VHA Dayton VAMC
Department of Veteran Affairs
4100 West Third Street
HRM Service
Dayton, OH
45428
### WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:
After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. During our review, if your résumé and application package do not support your questionnaire answers, we will adjust your rating accordingly. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email (if provided); otherwise, applicants will receive a notification letter via the U.S. Postal Service. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking on “Application Status.” For a more detailed update of your status, click on “more information.” Information regardingapplicant notification points can be found in the USAJobs Resource Center.
*Job Title:* Licensed Practical Nurse (Inpatient Mental Health)
*Department:* Department Of Veterans Affairs
*Agency:* Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
*SALARY RANGE:* $25,897.00 to $47,138.00 / Per Year
*OPEN PERIOD:* Monday, August 3, 2015 to Friday, August 21, 2015
*SERIES & GRADE:* GS-0620-00
*POSITION INFORMATION:* Full Time - Excepted Service Permanent
*DUTY LOCATIONS:* 2 vacancies in the following location: Dayton, OH
*WHO MAY APPLY:* United States Citizens
*SECURITY CLEARANCE:* Public Trust - Background Investigation
*SUPERVISORY STATUS:* No
*Control Number:* 409501100
*Job Announcement Number:* VHA-552-15-1453278 BU