The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is responsible for administering specialized nursing care activities to adult through geriatric patients for both acute and chronic diseases with a range of nursing problems and/or needs. The PACT LPN collaborates with PACT staff to develop comprehensive individualized health care plans and care management plans for patients assigned to PACT panel. Preferred Experience: Ambulatory Care, Primary Care 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. (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. 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 provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. Grade Determinations: 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).GS-6[(a) 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.(b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.(c) 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.(d) 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.(e) 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.(f) 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.(g) 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.(h) 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.(i) 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.(j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["Duties: The PACT LPN performs, reports, and records assigned nursing care to Primary Care, including but not limited to Organizes work so that all essential activities are carried out. Document nursing care; gather data for the completion of assessment on chronic diseases and preventive screening. Records data in patient's chart via CPRS consistent with charting guidelines. Administers oral, IM, SC, and rectal medications according to policy, and observes for therapeutic effects and untoward reactions. Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication Takes vital signs (TPR, B/P), measures height and weight and documents per policy in CPRS. Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance, and initiates appropriate emergency interventions. Performs EKGs and notifies the RN/APN/MD of findings and documents per policy. Uses motivational interviewing and health coaching to guide patients to self-management Inventories supplies and medications, removes outdated items, orders replacement for stock items and makes appropriate recommendations for increasing or decreasing stock level. Completes clinical reminders with appropriate consults and alerts as indicated Delegated procedures and treatments by the professional nurse Checks and documents integrity and effectiveness of emergency equipment per policy. Adheres to principles of infection control, safety, and practices standard precautions, wearing protective clothing as appropriate, i.e., masks, goggles, gowns, gloves, etc., according to safety and infection control policies and procedures always. 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. Demonstrates initiative in assisting the Team As a preceptor, assists in the orientation, educating, and training of less experienced LPN/LVN Maintains confidentiality of electronic, written, and/ or verbal patient information. Maintains a work environment that honors diversity. Serves as a resource and advocate in the protection of patient and family rights. Demonstrates understanding of age- and population-specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran. Based on the patient's goals, provides patient and family health education, to include self-management, prevention, and wellness. Completes mandatory reviews, including motivational interviewing, to promote patient self-management toward individualized life plan of care. Supports patient-driven care in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner, using evidence based principles. Monitors the schedule and brings any potential access problems to the provider and/ or Supervisor's attention. Reviews the daily schedule to determine those patients failing to report for clinic appointment. Proper documentation must be noted in the record and incumbent ensures provider properly reviews the record for determination of need to reschedule. Identifies delays or problems in processing veterans medical care requests and appointments and as appropriate, will review the case, determine the problem or bottleneck and initiate action(s) to correct the problem and expedite the case by providing guidance to team members. Reviews incomplete encounter reports and works with the other members of the team to ensure that all data is completed in a timely manner. Preferred Experience: Ambulatory or Primary Care Work Schedule: 0730-1600 Monday through Friday (extended hours including weekends, when needed). Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
