Career Center

The Licensed Practical Nurse at the GS-6 provides direct support to the PACT team in the Ambulatory Care Outpatient Clinic. The incumbent is accountable for greeting the Veterans, using different modalities of gathering Veteran data such as observation, vital signs and recording information the Veteran provides to the LPN; communicating this data to the RN and/or provider and taking action as directed. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 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 that is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure meets the education requirements. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. Licensure: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the US, or District of Columbia. Language Proficiency: Eligible candidates must be proficient in English (spoken and written). 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: GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR Must have graduated 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 Must have graduated 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. AND 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 breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review. GS-6: Completion of one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. AND Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. 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 RN/MD/DO for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. 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. 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. 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. 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. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Continued in Education section... ["The LPN is responsible for assisting the PACT team with ongoing, continuous care of one or more assigned panel(s) of Veterans. This LPN is responsible for LPN duties as listed below and other duties as assigned: Ensuring appropriate evaluation and access is provided to patients assigned to the patient panel. Utilizing all available tools, such as registries, to enable effective and efficient identification and intervention of individual patients and cohorts. Implement primary care operations management processes as appropriate; access, Veteran centered care, Life Goal, etc. Manage communications and facilitate safe transitions of the Veteran between the PACT and other health care settings using warm hand-off communication either in person or by telephone. Provide health education on wellness, disease prevention, chronic care management and self-management skills to patients and personal support persons, based on the documented expertise or professional training of the PACT member. Use informal/formal communications that are respectful, effective, and timely with all team members and other internal/external customers to convey significant, clinically relevant information for the care of the patient. Collaborate with informatics technology staff to develop and implement systematized, electronically supported, standardized, tools to support PACT care delivery processes as needed. Role Specific Assignments: Participates in PACT team huddles and meetings Participates in process improvements and system redesign Promotes personal, pro-active, Veteran Centered care Uses shared decision making Assists with pre-visit phone calls to Veterans to complete reminders as appropriate and obtain reason for appointment if not indicated. Reviews daily clinic schedule for patient care needs Collaborating with PACT team members to develop comprehensive health care plans and care management plans for Veterans assigned to panel. Manages clinic flow which includes the following: Vital signs and treatments as indicated/appropriate Completing appropriate clinical reminders Assisting the provider with exam/procedures Administering and tracking immunizations Preparing and administering medications Completes orders per provider or protocol Keep providers on schedule Keep Veterans advised of delays/wait times Ensures visit closure Observes, records and reports patient's response or changes in patient's condition Promptly recognizes and responds to urgent or emergent situations Assists with orientation of new employees. Coordinates group visits. Checks daily equipment/supplies and restocks the exam rooms Promptly recognizes and responds to urgent or emergent situations. Participates in group visits with team members Follows medical center policies Acts as patient advocate; assuring patient understands content of visit and when to return to clinic, as well as how to contact team between visits. Promotes patient and personal safety. Assists Care Manager in coordinating care for patients assigned to the PACT when Veterans are: Walking into the clinic without an appointment (take vital signs and gather data) Discharged from non-VA hospitals or seen in non-VA Emergency Departments Re-assigned to or from another PACT Receiving care from providers of specialty care Receiving care from several health care providers (dual care) Undergoing complex or high risk surgical or interventional procedures Help assure that there is no lapse in care for the patient Needing relevant information communicated to involved providers Makes PACT team members aware of transitions of assigned patients between care settings and are involved when needed to facilitate safe, effective, and Veteran-centered transitions. New patient to the VA (take vital signs and gather data, clinical reminders) Telehealth Duties (As applicable): Manage required screenings and complete clinical reminders, documentation, opening and closing encounters required. Assist the primary care or specialty care provider with the Veterans physical exam as needed. Responsible for Veteran education, documentation and assistance with workload capture basic for the completion of the visit, per scope of practice. Regular contact with the Facility Telehealth Coordination to work out any process issues, equipment needs/problems, data collection and any other logistical issues. Performs Tele-Presenter duties for the encounter. Provides ideal customer service to all Veterans. Considers gender-specific Tele-Presenters who can serve as chaperones when required. Covers Telehealth clinics scheduled for the day, as assigned. Work Schedule: 8AM - 4:30PM, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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