Summary

This position is located at the Richard L. Roudebush VAMC Brownsburg Clinic - IN within the Primary Care service. The Licensed Practical Nurse works under the direction of an RN and reports to the primary care manager. The LPN is responsible for observing - recording - and reporting changes in the patient's condition - as well as assisting in the development and revision of the patient-driven holistic care plan for life.

Qualifications

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: 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 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 qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS-06 Proficiency 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 - using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments - and accurately recognizing - reporting - and recording relevant patient information Ability to observe - identify - and respond to a 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 - 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 - documents - and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations and the 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 - 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 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 includes preparing the patient and 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
• Preferred Experience: Outpatient Clinic - primary care clinic experience

Duties

• ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the patient's response
• Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention
• VA Indianapolis - IN Performs - reports - and records assigned nursing care in the Primary Care Clinics Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication
• Demonstrates understanding of age- and population-specific characteristics through completion of age - culture - and population specific competencies
• Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations - seeks assistance and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate
• Based on the patient's goals - provides patient and family health education - to include self-management - prevention - and wellness
• Interacts and communicates appropriately with patients and family members
• Demonstrates professional behavior (i.e. - respect - civility - ability to accept constructive criticism) - effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Adheres to principles of infection control - safety - and universal precautions
• Incumbent possesses knowledge of proper handling and pre-cleaning of reusable medical equipment
• Demonstrates competence utilizing special equipment needed to perform job duties
• Follows policy and procedures related to fire and disaster drills - safety and security measures
• Actively participates in PACT huddles and serves as a resource for new clinical and administrative staff members re: PACT principles
• Reviews and revises PACT schedule in advance of scheduled appointments and in conjunction with VSSC reports to optimize use of face-to-face - telephone - Nurse Health Maintenance - and other treatment modalities to improve patient outcomes
• Serves as a resource and advocate in the protection of patient and family rights
• Supports patient-driven care in a safe - efficient and cost-effective manner - using evidence-based principles
• Promotes patient and organizational safety
• Demonstrates competence utilization of Safe Patient Handing equipment
• Proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties based on the PACT model while providing care through panel population management
• Supports Care Coordination and Integrated Care Management through collaboration with PACT team to ensure continuum of care and optimal utilization of healthcare resources
• Completes nursing clinical reminders thoroughly and accurately per due dates and clinical appropriateness - including Suicide Screening - Alcohol Use Screening - Tobacco Use Screening - Pain Screening - Frail/Elderly Screening - etc.
• Develops and implements action plans - including educating nursing staff to address identified deficiencies
• Completes closure of patient encounters in a timely manner (within 24 hours of patient visit)
• Responds to patient telephone calls and call center agents in a timely manner to address patient care needs - including same-day access requests
• Work Schedule: 8-4:30pm Mon - Friday Compressed/Flexible: May be available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Available Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available