Summary

The position is assigned to Outpatient Nursing Service - Specialty Care Clinic (SCC) at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center and is located in the Specialty Care Clinics in Spokane - Washington. Beyond the level of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) GS-5 - the LPN GS-6 has knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations - and ability to appropriately use this knowledge to work effectively with patients - families - and staff.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• 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
• 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
• 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)
• GRADE DETERMINATION: In addition to the basic requirements - 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-6 (a) Completion of at least 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
• Preferred Experience: 2 years nursing experience preferred and Specialty nursing experience preferred 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-6. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting
• moderate lifting
• heavy carrying
• moderate carrying
• pushing
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking
• standing
• kneeling
• repeated bending
• both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Hearing (aid may be permitted
• mental and emotional stability Environmental Factors: constant noise
• working around moving objects
• unusual fatigue factors(patient care)
• working closely with others
• working alone
• protracted or irregular hours of work

Duties

• Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: Utilizing all available tools - such as care management tool - to enable effective and efficient identification - intervention - and follow-up of individual patients and cohorts Ensuring appropriate evaluation and access is provided to patients assigned to specialty clinics as assigned Functioning at the full extent of the team member's relevant clinical privileges - credentials - scopes of practice - elements of practice - certification - functional statement - position description - or other VHA or local facility approved documentation of competency Participating in team performance improvement and sustainment activities to optimize team efficiency and care delivery to patients Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing care of the veteran population Recognizes and reports unsafe equipment - conditions - and practice Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - and shares with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice Perform specialty care operations management processes - as appropriate independently with little direct supervision Perform communications and facilitate safe transitions of patients between the SCC site of care and other health care settings - using informal and formal communication methods - as appropriate Providing health education and health coaching on wellness - disease prevention - chronic care management - and self-management skills to patients and personal support persons - commensurate with the documented expertise or professional training of the SCC member Using formal and informal communications that are respectful - effective - timely - and bidirectional with all team members to convey significant - clinically relevant information for the care of the patient Engaging patients in using health care - encouraging patients to engage personal support persons - receiving input from patients and personal support persons regarding VA care Collaborating with informatics technology staff to develop and implement systematized - electronically supported - standardized - tools to support SCC care delivery processes (e.g. - pre-visit reminder calls - post-hospitalization follow-up calls - recall scheduling procedures - new patient orientation) Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs and NAs/HTs related to support duties for more complex - specialized tests/procedures Documents in a timely - accurate - and concise manner Performs daily duties and quality controls including but not limited to: Gather information from non-scheduled patients such as a chief complaint and history of symptoms to document and communicate information to the Registered Nurse Check patients in for appointments and gather vital signs Orders labs and diagnostic tests appropriate for the LPN scope of practice following policy/SOP Set up for major and minor office procedures/ assist and chaperone Daily inventory for specific items on hand Maintaining contact with needed departments for supplies Track the progress and flow of equipment going in and out of the clinic Ensure equipment is in working order - f/u for timely repair /replacement if needed Assists RN in consult follow up and scheduling patients Monitors surgical patients ensuring appropriate scheduling for follow-up including pre­ operative and post-operative appointments Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0630-1700 10 hour shifts Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized 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) 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized