The Licensed Practical Nurse position is located within the Atlanta VA Healthcare System. The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) GS-6 functions as a member of the health care team by demonstrating an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for self-direction in carrying out complex practical nursing care assignments within the CBOCs and Specialty Clinics for a Veteran population with a variety of health care needs. 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. 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: 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. VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-60, 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. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C. 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-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 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) physician (MD/DO)] for appropriateness and conformity with establish 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. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a 6. Physical Requirements: The position requires standing, walking, bending, stooping, lifting, and transferring during administration of patient care. In addition, the incumbent must be emotionally stable and adjust to different types of personalities, demonstrating compassion, courtesy, and concern. The incumbent must be able to perform all activities for the position without restriction. This will include work on expanded tours of duty, weekends, and the ability to push supply, medication, and telehealth carts. The LPN 6 must be able to utilize written and verbal communication skills proficiently when communicating with the supervisor and other staff members. ["Duties included but not limited to: Performs PACT (Patient Aligned Care Team) duties to include, but not limited to in take, panel management, secure messages, medication administration, enters lab orders according to protocols and standing orders, telephone care, population management and clinical reminders. Performs Telehealth services, Store and Forward, Clinical Video Teleconference, including Tele-retinal screening, Tele-dermatology, Tele-wound care, and other Telehealth services, as identified, and referred by providers. The LPN 6 guided by local policy/standing orders, may initiate consultations for patients on behalf of the Primary Care provider, who retains responsibility for patient care. Serves as a Tele-presenter, coordinates Telehealth services and is a part of the clinic team. Available for all tele health meetings and visits. Demonstrates ability to propose and arrange new clinics depending on needs of consulting physicians. Able to coordinate patient care needs on a clinic-by-clinic basis for sessions at CBOC's, inter-facility and patient's home. Able to address specialty providers needs upon request. Assists manager with addressing all Telehealth/telemedicine initiatives at the designated site. Responsible for patient education/training, documentation and assistance with workload capture that is basic for the completion of the visit and or training. Obtains and assembles equipment for specialized therapies such as suction, oxygen, isolation, retinal imaging, wound care, disruptive behavior, or suicidal patients. Serves as a clinical and technical coordinator for the Tele-health Program. The LPN is a part of the clinic team and is available for Telehealth visits. Coordinates and establishes new Telehealth services including equipment, clinics, orientation, and competency completion for staff with the assistance of the RN. Coordinates and establishes new Telehealth services including equipment, clinics, orientation, and competency completion for staff with the assistance of the RN. Provides disease specific education as appropriate. Independently and accurately reinforces patient education using teaching approaches that are individualized to incorporate patients' health education needs, age, culture, and level of understanding. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions; uses judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatment; and accurately recognizes, reports, and records relevant patient information. Demonstrates 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 specialized equipment and monitoring the patient's condition before, during and following the procedure. Demonstrates ability to observe, identify and respond to the patients' needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education. Demonstrates ability to review and interpret clinical problems with medications and labs from patient records and communicate to RN and/or MD/DO. Demonstrates ability to organize and deliver care recognizing and considering the emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors. Performs phlebotomy (venipuncture) and specimen collection on patients, centrifugation, splitting specimens into aliquots, and separation of components and ensure they are transported to the lab for processing. 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 the RN and/or/MD/DO. 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. Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance from the registered nurse and or physician provider for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervenes, as directed to ensure optimal safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. Assist at front desk to facilitate timely assessment by interviewing and screening patients, addressing administrative and clinical concerns. Utilize data bases (i.e., almanac, VSSC, SAIL) for population care management to support the team with improving patient care outcomes. Work Schedule: M- F: 0800-1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
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.