This position is for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for the Durham VA Medical Center in Durham and Raleigh, NC. The LPN is to support the Durham Medical Center ambulatory care setting. The LPN will work directly under the general supervision of a Registered Nurse. 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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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. 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 OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN. Licensure - Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, 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-03 None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g., medication administration); however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved. GS-04 (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or(b) Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) and 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 and sterile techniques and procedures; or (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-05 Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care. Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous medications. This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition. Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest. Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies. GS-06 Proficiency in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions, using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, and accurately recognizing, reporting, and recording relevant patient information. Ability to observe, identify, and response to a patient's needs for care including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for, documents, and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations and the ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members and other staff. Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which includes preparing the patient and 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. Preferred Qualifications A minimum of two years successful nursing practice. One-year recent experience in the outpatient primary care/internal medicine setting. Previous experience with Dermatology, ENT, Ortho and/or Surgery Clinics. Demonstrated ability to work well with patients/families and with other health care professionals. Computer skills and typing proficiency sufficient to permit real-time documentation of patient encounters. Preferred Level of Education LPN or LVN Preferred Certifications Preferred Certification(s) Gerontology Certified Urology ["Working in Primary Care, Medical-Surgical, Emergency Room (ER), and Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Clinical Deployment Team (CDT) staff will be allocated among 18 networks for a total of 20 full-time employees per network, including 11 Registered Nurses (RNs), 2 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), 5 providers (including Medical Doctors, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, and Advanced Nurse Practitioners) and 2 Social Workers. When they are not deployed, CDT staff will work at an assigned VA facility. Members of the team must: Be available to deploy with 72 hours' notice within 2 windows of time per calendar year, for up to a month at a time Work in a high-stress environment, possibly in austere conditions or an emergency setting Treat or provide direct patient care within the requirements of practice/privileges/licensure Participate in CDT training activities and demonstrate readiness to apply professional skills to a range of emergency situations Ensure qualifications and required certifications are maintained, including Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), or Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certification Maintain CDT physical readiness requirements, vaccinations, and safety precautions related to infection control LPN/LVN responsibilities include: Outpatient/Primary Care Provides direct patient care to and assists with care coordination of Primary Care patients within the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT), supporting services and clinics throughout the health care system. Provides direct patient care to Primary Care patients in accordance with Primary Care standards and recommended practices/guidelines. Gathers additional data (face to face or via phone) related to patient needs for treatment determination of PACT. Participates in PACT performance measure activities such as, but not limited to, non-complex 2-day post-discharge calls, clinical reminder compliance, aspects of chronic disease management. Participates in daily and/or weekly PACT huddles. Assists with coordinating care of patients, including patients consulted through Clinical Video Tele-Health visits. Assures patients have pre-appointment requirements completed prior to Primary Care Provider (PCP) appointments. Alerts providers (physicians/nurse practitioners) of abnormal signs and symptoms and/or abnormal test results to expedite care. Assists with patient education related to managing risk factors, medications, procedures, and other medical regimens related to their disease process, within standards of practice. Inpatient Delivers care to patients according to Patient Care Plan. Demonstrates understanding of age - and population - specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran. Performs aspects of admission/discharge procedures as directed. Collects patient data including observations of patient status (i.e., vital signs, intake/output, skin condition, mental status, etc.). Accurately reports patient/client information. Recognizes subtle and significant changes in the patient in response to nursing care. Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate. Organizes/prioritizes routine and non-routine nursing care activities (ADLs, medication administration, wound care, EKG, foley catheter insertion, bladder scan, etc.) Provides care to patients/clients appropriate to their cognitive, physical, emotional and chronological maturation. Work Schedule: -Monday-Friday, 8 hour tours between 0700-1800- occasional Saturdays Telework: NO Travel: Up to 50% may be required. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): NO"]
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.