The Women's Health Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) provides high-quality, evidence-based care for a culturally diverse Veteran population; emphasizing patient centered care to veteran's ages 18 to 75 and above in the outpatient care setting. They must be able to promote a safe environment for all patients including those with altered sensorium due to medication or an acute or chronic illness. The GS-7 LVN is accountable to the Primary Care Nurse Manager. 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- United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language. Proficiency in written and spoken English. 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. 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.] Grade Determinations: The 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 (1) 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. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels. (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. Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice. (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 non-medical 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. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds); Moderate carrying (up to 44 pounds); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking, kneeling and standing up to 1.5 hours; repeated bending; both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). ["The LVN-7 is accountable for adhering to established policies, procedures, standards of care and standards of practice, and for maintaining competencies consistent with the role and responsibilities. The LVN-7 serves as the Care Coordinator under the direction the assigned Nurse Manager, who reports to the Chief of Ambulatory Care and Specialty, who ensures that work is complete and accurate. The employee uses initiative and motivation in carrying out routine tasks, however, the employee refers problems and unfamiliar situations to the Nurse Manager. The Nurse Manager assures that finished work is in accordance with established policy and procedure through daily rounds. The LVN-7 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 for life. The LVN-7 is self-directed in completing assignments with no instructions except in complex situations and completed work need only a general review by an RN for appropriateness and conformity with license, policies and procedures. The LVN is a member of the larger primary care team. Has the accountability for actively promoting and following safety principles and promoting a safe environment for patients and co-workers. Breast and Cervical Screening Coordinator (BCSC) is a nurse responsible for identifying, facilitating, and coordinating patient-centered care and services. The BCSC has a crucial role in assisting women veterans to efficiently obtain gender specific services and care, with emphasis on coordination of breast and cervical screening coordination, to include follow-up. The BCSC functions as a liaison and is responsible for planning, coordinating, and performing a wide range of clinical, administrative, program, and technical functions to support quality case management of gender-specific services for Veterans. The BCSC works directly with the patients, VA staff, Primary Care teams,(Ambulatory Care Center and all Community Based Outpatient Clinics), non-VA care providers and organizations, Radiology Departments, and the Women Veterans Program Manager (WVPM)to achieve seamless care, facilitate patient satisfaction, reduce duplication of services or delay of care, and monitor quality of care and services received. The functions of the BCSC nurse include, but are not limited to: 1.Coordinating and tracking breast care/mammography and cervical cancer screening of patients throughout all aspects of the medical center, including Community Based Outpatient Clinics (occasional travel to Community Based Outpatient Clinics). 2. Documenting patient care interactions accurately, succinctly, and timely, using appropriate notes, templates, and clinical reminders, in the electronic medical record. 3. Knowledge and ability to use the Breast Cancer Registry, Pap Status Report and Cancer Care Tracking System. 4. Utilizing and maintaining tracking spreadsheets and monitoring/tracking data systems as required by VHA Directives and Handbooks, as well as per requests of Nurse Manager 5. Participating in quality improvement programs and initiatives including system redesign, to improve access, quality, efficiency, and patient satisfaction 6. Provides support to Primary Care by ensuring that coordination of care is performed in a timely manner and by collecting, retrieving, and analyzing data as appropriate 7.Understanding and responding to mammography reports, BIRADS, pap smear, and other gender specific screening/diagnostic test results. 8. Communication and documentation of normal test results for mammograms and pap smears. Work with PACT team nurses to call all normal results 9. Ensure performance measures exceed benchmark by tracking and coordinating Veterans that are due and overdue for breast and cervical cancer screening 10. Self-directed in assessing, planning, implementing, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating patient care activities in relation to the breast and cervical cancer screening. Work to identify ways of improving compliance. 11. Participates in the women's health strategic planning process in the Women Veterans Advisory Committee to address the needs and long-term goals of breast and cervical cancer screening. Participate in the SAIL meetings and PACT Steering committee. 12. Breast and cervical cancer coordination duties will be assigned by the Nurse Manager. Cross coverage of BCSC duties will occur in the absence of either lead for breast or cervical cancer screening. Preferred Experience: One year care coordinator experience Experience tracking breast care , mammography, cervical cancer screening Primary Care, Women's Health, and Outpatient Clinical Experience. BLS Work Schedule: Full-Time; Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. Tour of duty can be adjusted to meet operational needs of the facility. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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