The Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) assigned to the George E. Whalen Primary Care Clinics functions as a team member under the supervision of the Clinic Nurse Manager. The LPN/LVN 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. 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. 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. Or 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. 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 license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the VA Handbook 5005. English Language Proficiency Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Grandfathering Provision 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 Experience &/or Education Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria:(a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or (b) Graduation from an approved school & 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 & sterile techniques & procedures. or (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5ExperienceCompletion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. AND Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (a) Demonstrated knowledge & ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical &/or behavioral problems. (b) Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team & interact [in an appropriate manner] with patients, family members, professional & [other] supportive personnel [involved in the delivery of] patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice. (c) Knowledge & skill sufficient to prepare, administer, & appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies & procedures. Observation & documentation will include patient's response to medication administered & the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO. (d) Knowledge & ability to recognize the need for & to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO & assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac &/or pulmonary arrest. (e) Recognizes & appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, & supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. (f) Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. GS-6 Experience Completion of at least [one (1) year of [additional] qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (a) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. (f) 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. (g) 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. (h) 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. (i) 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: None References: VA Handbook 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling and pushing a weight of 35 pounds in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Program Directive 2010-032. Transferring patients and objects may be required. May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient and clinic needs. ["The LPN functions within their scope of practice and requires a general review of the work by the Nurse Manager to ensure appropriate parameters within their license, policies, and procedures. The LPN/LVN provides effective education to patients and or family members in relation to common disease process, medication, and or prescribed treatment regimes. The LPN/LVN demonstrates active collaboration and communication with PACT (Patient, Primary Care Provider, RN Care Coordinator and Medical Support Assistant) and larger team (family/caregiver, internal and community based services and disciplines involved in providing care to the patient). Manages patient care problems and deviations using self-direction in accordance with VA Nursing Practice and LPN licensure standards. Maintains knowledge and skill to care for a wide range of patients, including those with chronic and acute illness. Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of disease conditions, nursing principles, and standards/practices to coordinate nursing care required in the clinic setting and alter the sequence and/or care delivered to meet individual patient's needs. Measures, records, and reports vital signs, neurological signs, weight, and blood glucose levels. Appropriately triages and prioritizes patient needs as routine, urgent, or emergent in the clinic setting and modifies patient care/treatment as needed. Checks patients into the clinic, interviews patient and/or significant other, and documents intake data as per policy. Possesses comprehensive knowledge of VA protocols and VHA directives related to clinic management, documentation, and computer technology. Performs venipuncture for blood draws, prepares specimens for transport and processing (centrifuge and serum separation), transcribes orders, accessions labels, and provides patient education about lab tests. Provides education to patients/families about preparation for procedures and/or diagnostic tests. Takes an active role in health promotion and disease prevention to improve patient outcomes. Contributes to the interdisciplinary PACT team in development, implementation, and evaluation of the treatment plan to promote patient participation and foster patient self-management. Collaborates with the PACT team and other interdisciplinary services in the development, implementation, and evaluation of patient care. Demonstrates knowledge and adherence to identified standards of care/practice for a variety of medical diagnoses. Coordinates clinical work assignments with the RN to ensure patient care needs are met. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills. Demonstrates knowledge of medical equipment and supplies with advanced skill to set up and/or operate specialized equipment. Assists in coordination of care during and after the transition of a patient from inpatient to outpatient and vice versa. Performs Clinical Pertinence reviews to ensure compliance with nursing practice standards related to nursing clinical reminders. Uses self-direction in evaluation of scheduled and walk-in patients and identifies potential clinical problems or deviations from normal. Initiate consults per PACT protocols, such as Home Tele-Health, audiology, optometry/ophthalmology, prosthetics, patient education, Home Based Primary Care, etc. Performs and documents patient telephone contacts for monitoring patients with Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions and those recently discharged from the hospital. Demonstrates self-direction by identifying and initiating annual laboratory testing needs for certain patient populations, with diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease to meet Medical Center Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set performance measures. Collaborates with PACT-assigned Home Tele-Health personnel to address patient care needs in a timely manner and to transition care from Home Tele-Health back to the PACT team. Collaborates with clinic mental health providers to ensure access to mental health care per Primary Care Mental Health Integration guidelines. Actively participates in continuous and ongoing performance improvement projects and/or Primary Care committees. Work Schedule: M-F 8 AM- 4:30 PM Compressed/Flexible: No Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52473-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives are not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
