The Community Care Licensed Practical Nurse has the knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex nursing care assignments and who completes duties and responsibilities which involve performing non-standard and specialized practical nursing activities requiring broad work experience and demonstrated skill sufficient to resolve a range of nursing problems.

Duties

Responsible for accomplishing a variety of specialized administrative services, specific but not limited to: scheduling/coordinating appointments using advanced clinic access principles, interpreting and verifying provider orders/consultations in accordance with Veteran Health Administration (VHA) national scheduling guidelines, scheduling, canceling and re-scheduling patient's appointments and/or consults, entering no-show information, monitoring inpatient and outpatient appointments for areas of responsibility and preauthorization requirements for specific coverage, monitoring consult timeframe compliance, reviewing records for accuracy and completion, collecting data for reporting and dissemination to various programs, and managing medical administrative functions associated with the Community Care Service. Collects and updates demographic and insurance information. Works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary coordinated care delivery model (i.e., PACT) and performs receptionist duties, customer service and other duties assigned for the proper and timely treatment of patients. Responsible for preparing outpatient authorizations for Community Care in Health Share Referral Manager (HSRM).Contacts Veterans to determine preference of Community Care Provider and desired appointment date. Depending upon the specialty of service requested for Community Care, employee prepares the required Community Care Provider information form and submits to VA Primary Care Physicians electronically for other medical information needed and signature for continuation of care. Discontinues consults after unsuccessful scheduling attempts following consult directives. Responsible for closing consults following appropriate guidelines with outside medical records. Monitors progress of all open community outpatient consults within the medical center and corrects consult transmission errors and incorrect provider assignments. Prepares medical center level reports upon request from upper management, utilizes multiple software applications to obtain information required to complete reports, and assists in planning, reviewing, and reporting of date. He/She also collects, compiles, analyzes, and presents data regarding consult integrity in the Community Care Service. Responsible for receiving and accurately processing confidential documents in a timely manner, reviewing documents and reports for completeness, entering pertinent information in the computerized patient record, communicating with PACT significant findings, and uploading the outside medical records .Serves as a key staff member and attends regular staff meeting, conference calls, seminars and trainings related to his/her responsibilities and various committees and boards as called upon by the Community Care Leadership Team. He/She participates in facility and network initiatives for growth, improved access, quality patient care, and exceptional customer services. Tracks all consults/referrals to ensure all details are resolved and referrals occur without incident. This includes, but is not limited to ensuring: appropriate and adequate legal eligibility and clinical information is provided to other institutions prior to referrals, information from outside institutions is provided to appropriate clinician following the rendering of treatment, medical records needed are referred at the most clinically opportune time and are returned following completion of treatment, radiology films are requested and sent to the referring facilities as needed, and clinical appointments are made within the indicated time frame. Participates in the development of policies and procedures regarding community referrals. He/She completes consults adhering to the Community Care Records Management Standard Operating Procedure. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0:800AM-4:30PM Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, 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. 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). 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-3: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below: 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; orc. Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. a. Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. [Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPN s/L VN s and/or Nursing Assistants(NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes. b. Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice. c. Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures. Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO. d. Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO, and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest. e. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. f. Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review. GS-6: 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. a. Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. b. 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. c. 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/L VN 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. 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. g. 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. h. 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. i. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II Appendix G13 dated April 10, 2003. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. *****Continuation please see Additional Information for Physical Requirements.*****

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Battle Creek VA Medical Center 5500 Armstrong Road Battle Creek, MI 49037 US
• Name: Margaux Padilla
• Phone: 210-331-4377
• Email: [email protected]