Licensed Practical Nurse - Primary Care

SummaryThis position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.QualificationsBasic Requirements:United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducation - Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency accredited by the Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Inc(ACEN) at the time the program was completed by the applicantLicensure - Condition of employmentActive - full - current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.ePuerto Rico) - of the United States or the District of ColumbiaAn LPN who has or has ever had - any license(s) revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probation status may be appointed only in accordance with regulations issued by the Under Secretary for Health or designeeProficient in spoken and written English - as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d) 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: The GS-7 grade level is for select - complex LPN/LVN positions - as established by each health care facilityTo be advanced - employees must meet all of the following standards - provided the standard is part of their assignment NOTE: Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unitAlthough these positions are under the supervision of an RN and/or MD/DO - employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision) - as well as a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and proceduresSuch individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of patients.(a) Completion of (minimum of 3 years of LPN experience) 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 settingsKnowledge 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 interventionsPositions 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 deliveryMakes 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 planAppropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level interventionAt this grade level - the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing - and - as appropriate - modifying patient care treatmentThey 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 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 interventionsEmployees 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 deliveryAt 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 outcomesExercises 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 instructionsThis 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/mediaActively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practicePreferred Experience: Primary Care References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G13 - Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification StandardThe full performance level of this vacancy is GS 7The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 7 Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5005 - Part III - Chapter 2 - paragraph 7 - and VA Handbook 5019 - Occupational Health ServicesAll applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the duties of the positionMust be able to lift (30 lbs or more)twisting and/or bending - standing and/or walking almost constantly during the course of the dayDutiesThis position could be located at the FtCampbell or Clarksville outpatient clinic depending on needs of the service VA LPN Specialty Pay Scale V03J The LPN - Primary Care GS-7 is under the supervision of the Nurse Manager at the Clarksville Outpatient Clinic in Clarksville - TN. - yet demonstrates independent technical judgment without the need for readily available supervisionThis position requires outpatient lab dutiesThe LPN GS-7 must demonstrate an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing care assignments within the Primary Care Clinics for a Veteran population with a variety of health care needsExhibits independent technical judgment - critical thinking skills - and the use of independent judgment to carry out complex practices and proceduresEmployees at the GS-7 grade level demonstrate broader skill with respect to these responsibilitiesDemonstrates knowledge - experience - skill and self-motivation to carry out complex patient assignments - which include prioritization and coordination of clinical activities with minimal supervisionPatient Aligned Care Team (PACT) members have independent duties within a team to ensure that the patients are receiving high quality care and have timely access to careCollaborates with a Specialty team to provide complex/specialized patient-centered care to patients' ages - cultural backgrounds - education level - and any other special needsThe panel population is multi-faceted - including geriatric patients - patients from all war-time eras - female patients - and patient with complex psychiatric needsPerforms direct patient care activities - as appropriate to assignment - (includes - but is not limited to): Manages patient care problems and deviations using self direction in accordance with VA Nursing Practice and LPN licensure standardsRequires Outpatient Lab duties Assesses - records - and reports vital signs - neurological signs - weight - and blood glucose levelsAppropriately triages and prioritizes patient needs as routine - urgent - or emergent in the clinic setting and modifies patient care/treatment as neededChecks patients into the clinic - interviews patient and/or significant other - and documents intake data as per policyPossesses comprehensive knowledge of VA protocols and VHA directives related to clinic management - documentation - and computer technologyServes as a resource for complex/specialized procedures (i.esuture removal - staple removal - wound care - blood draws - and clinic specific procedures - such as ear irrigation - performing EKGs - nebulizer treatments or assisting for set up of joint injections)Assists with diagnostic procedures that include preparing the patient - setting up sterile field and instrumentation - and monitoring the patient's conditionCollaborates with the PACT team and other interdisciplinary services in the development - implementation - and evaluation of patient careExercises independent technical judgement and possesses a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles and science of practical nursingDuties include following up on abnormal results with the provider and educating patients/families on disease management and anticipated plan of careServes in a leadership role within the PACT team to promote holistic care and optimize clinic efficiencyAssists other staff to improve and advance their practical nursing practice as appropriateServes as a resource person and Super User for frequently used equipment in the clinic setting ( i.ePYXIS - EKG and Car Lift) and utilizes appropriate protocol for equipment repair and maintenanceFunctions as a role model for co-workers in guiding clinical practiceCoordinates clinical work assignments with the RN to ensure patient care needs are metAssist in completing staff competencies on frequently used equipmentFunctions as a team leader for other LPNs and non-licensed staff (as needed)Provides feedback to NM or designee including but not limited to observations of care provided by team membersAssists Nurse Manager with planning and organizing specialized unit projects e.gMobile flu clinic - injection clinic - and walk-in clinicOther Duties as assigned VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (days) based on needs of service Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact VISN9edrp@va.gov - - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more