This position is assigned to Outpatient Nursing Service - Specialty Care Clinic (SCC) at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center and is located in the Specialty Care Clinics in Spokane, Washington.

Duties

Duties may vary based on grade. At the GS-6 full performance level of this assignment, SCC LPN 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. Duties will include: Utilizing all available tools, such as care management tool, to enable effective and efficient identification, intervention, and follow-up of individual patients and cohorts. Ensuring appropriate evaluation and access is provided to patients assigned to specialty clinics as assigned. Functioning at the full extent of the team member's relevant clinical privileges, credentials, scopes of practice, elements of practice, certification, functional statement, position description, or other VHA or local facility approved documentation of competency. Participating in team performance improvement and sustainment activities to optimize team efficiency and care delivery to patients. Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing care of the veteran population. Recognizes and reports unsafe equipment, conditions, and practice. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and shares with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Perform specialty care operations management processes, as appropriate independently with little direct supervision (including the ability to organize work, follow instructions, write and type legibly and accurately). Perform communications and facilitate safe transitions of patients between the SCC site of care and other health care settings, using informal and formal communication methods, as appropriate. Providing health education and health coaching on wellness, disease prevention, chronic care management, and self-management skills to patients and personal support persons, commensurate with the documented expertise or professional training of the SCC member. Engaging patients in using health care, encouraging patients to engage personal support persons, receiving input from patients and personal support persons regarding VA care. Using formal and informal communications that are respectful, effective, timely, and bidirectional with all team members (including the patient and personal support persons) to convey significant, clinically relevant information for the care of the patient. Collaborating with informatics technology staff to develop and implement systematized, electronically supported, standardized, tools to support SCC care delivery processes (e.g., pre-visit reminder calls, post-hospitalization follow-up calls, recall scheduling procedures, new patient orientation). Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs and NAs/HTs related to support duties for more complex, specialized tests/procedures. Documents in a timely, accurate, and concise manner. Gather information from non-scheduled patients such as a chief complaint and history of symptoms to document and communicate information to the Registered Nurse. Check patients in for appointments and gather vital signs. Orders labs and diagnostic tests appropriate for the LPN scope of practice following policy/SOP. Set up for major and minor office procedures/assist and chaperone. Daily inventory for specific items on hand. Maintaining contact with needed departments for supplies (Biomed, decon, processing, SPS, pharmacy, etc.). Track the progress and flow of equipment going in and out of the clinic. Ensure equipment is in working order, f/u for timely repair/replacement if needed. Assists RN in consult follow up and scheduling patients. Monitors surgical patients ensuring appropriate scheduling for follow-up including pre-operative and post-operative appointments. Coordinating with OR staff to appropriately schedule surgical patients. Serve as a surrogate for Nurse Care Coordinator during periods of leave and responding to patients within LPN scope of practice; following up with covering RN or physician if needed. Work with Transgender Team in schedule appointments in the WHC. Administering Goserelin (Zoladex) Implant's/injections every 4weeks/12 weeks. Preparing/facilitating correspondence between physicians/Clinic/Case Manager (letters, medical records, etc.). Answer view alerts/secure messages within 24-72 hrs. Perform reminders as appropriate. Perform daily huddle with team. Promote non-face to face visit support (MHV, telephone access). Perform pre-appointment phone calls (scrubbing). Stocking supplies for (including obtaining particular supplies from the main hospital when needed). Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 10 hour shift between 6:30 AM - 5:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. Transcripts must be submitted at time of application. Conferral of degree(s) must be stated on transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Exceptions include: Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. Health care education in the military service or training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction. Licensure: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth 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 Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR Graduation from an approved school 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 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. Employees assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities: 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 LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants/Health Technicians 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. 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. 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. 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. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. 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. Employees assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities: Proficient in initiating, performing and completing duties in providing care to variable patient populations. 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 recognize, report and record relevant patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse or physician for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. 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. Prepares and administers prescribed medications 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. 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. 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. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers. 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. 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 II-G13-1 APPENDIX G13. LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: Moderate to heavy lifting (up to 45 lbs and over), moderate to heavy carrying (up to 45 lbs and over), pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending, both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable, hearing (aid may be permitted) mental and emotional stability, constant noise, working around moving objects/vehicles, unusual fatigue (patient care), working closely with others, working alone, protracted or irregular work hours.

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 Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4815 North Assembly Street Spokane, WA 99205 US
• Name: Michelle Yahne
• Phone: 503-220-8262 X53055
• Email: [email protected]