Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse is responsible for the delivery of care to Veterans in the primary care clinic. Functions as a team member under the guidance of a Registered Nurse; is accountable for adhering to established policies - protocols - standards of care and practice. The LPN is responsible for the treatment - observation - and care of the Veteran within the scope of practice to assist in the overall PACT clinic.

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
• 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 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-03 - None beyond the basic requirements
• LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license
• however - completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved
• GS-04 - Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-05 - Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• 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/Health Technicians 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-06 - 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
• 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 registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures
• 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 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06
• Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• See VA Handbook 5019 and local LPN/LPN physical standards.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but not limited to: The LPN uses a systematic problem-solving process in the care of patients with chronic health care needs to provide individualized - goal-directed nursing care
• The LPN may contribute to the plan of care by collaborating with interdisciplinary team members - the patient and the patient's family
• The LPN collects data and information - recognizes changes in conditions and reports this to the RN or Provider
• The LPN assists in the identification of problems and formulation of goals - outcomes - and patient-centered plans of care that are developed in collaboration with patients - their families - and the interprofessional team
• The LPN can participate in implementing established teaching plans and providing education to patients and their family
• Provide medication list for patient review Performs vital signs and treatments Assists providers with exams/procedures Administers/tracks immunizations Tracks - prepares - and administers medications Completes orders per provider or nursing protocol Facilitates visit closure by confirming required patient education and orders have been processed/completed Observes - screens - records - and reports patient's response or changes in patient's condition Promptly recognizes and responds to urgent or emergent situations Serves as preceptor for nursing orientation Places orders and consults per clinical reminders and PACT Nurse Protocols working to the top of education and competency Completes primary care discharge phone calls per clinic policy Monitors PACT metrics for Teamlet
• Obtain labs and other specimen collections Collaborates with PACT staff to develop comprehensive health care plans for patients assigned to patient panels Participates in team performance improvement and sustainment activities to optimize team efficiency and care delivery to patients Partners with interprofessional clinical team with communications
• facilitating safe transitions of patients between the PACT's site of care and other health care settings - using informal and formal communication methods Provides effective education to patients and/or family member in relation to disease processes - medication and/or prescribed treatment regimens in collaboration with the interprofessional team Active member in daily team huddles
• reviews team metrics and assist team in developing a plan to improve patient outcomes Perform virtual care modality visits (VVC - CVT) Performs other duties as assigned Preferred Experience: Minimum of 1 year experience required
• preferred 3-5 year clinical experience Basic Life Support (BLS) required Preferred previous experience in an Ambulatory Care and/or community-based clinic setting working with chronic disease management Strong computer skills required using electronic medical records and Microsoft Office Demonstrated excellent critical thinking skills in a rapid changing environment Demonstrated strong patient teaching skills Excellent communication skills working with an interprofessional team Strong/family advocate Demonstrates strong organizational skills and problem-solving abilities Team player who is proactive to change Creativity - flexibility - and the ability to work in face-paced changing environment with minimal supervision Completes primary care discharge phone calls per clinic policy Work Schedule: Full-time - Monday - Friday - 8AM-4:30PM 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 # 55681F - 55682F - 55683F - 55684F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.