Licensed Practical Nurse - Patient Care Aligned Team

Full Job Description

This position is for a Licensed Practical Nurse(LPN) on the Patient Care Aligned Team (PACT).

This position is a team member who provides clinical support for the delivery of primary care services and operations management to a PACT.

The LPN also is responsible for providing evaluation and care consistent with licensure, certification, and functional elements of practice, to patient assigned PACTS's.

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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.

(Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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 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.

An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had, any licenses 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.

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-7. The GS-7 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions, as established by each health care facility.

To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. a.

Completion of at least one 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. b.

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.

c. 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. d.

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.

e.

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. f.

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 with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions.

This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision. g.

Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media.

h.

Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care.

Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas. i.

Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or nonmedical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO.

In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff. j.

Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision.

Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing.

The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision. k.

Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional General duties may include but are not limited to: Assist with triage as appropriate. Assist with exams/procedures. Assist with group visits as directed.

Set up supplies, prep room for procedure Perform treatments (VS, EKG, FSBG, ear lavage, toenail care) Administer meds, performs wound care.

Complete pertinent clinical reminders Assist with medication reconciliation. Assist with post discharge calls as directed. Track and administer required immunizations. Run injection clinics.

Assist PACT in sorting secure telephone calls and resolves call as appropriate.

Coordinate group visits Identify additional services needed by Veteran/Family/Care Giver Assist provider in non-formulary process. Participate in daily huddles. Participate in team meetings.

New patient orientation Assist with patient education/reinforce plan of care. Daily equipment/supply checks.

Keep exam rooms stocked, monitor sharps containers and outdated supplies in exam rooms Work Schedule: Full-time Monday- Friday 7:30am-4:00pm 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 #: 92611-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized