The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides direct support to the Patient-Aligned Care Teams (PACT) in the Ambulatory Care Outpatient Clinic or Primary Care Telehealth Outpatient Clinic. The incumbent will greet Veterans and gather and record data through observation and direct contact, then communicate this data to the RN or provider and take action as directed.

Duties

The Licensed Practical Nurse is responsible for assisting the Patient-Aligned Care Team (PACT). The Licensed Practical Nurse is responsible for basic duties as listed below and other duties as assigned: Ensure appropriate evaluation and access is provided to patients assigned to the patient panel. Utilize all available tools, such as registries, to enable effective and efficient identification and intervention of individual patients and cohorts. Function at the full extent of the team member's scope of practice based on experience/training. Participate in team performance improvement and sustainment activities to enhance care delivery to patients. Implement primary care operations management processes as appropriate; access, Veteran centered care, Life Goal, etc. Manage communications and facilitate safe transitions of the Veteran between the PACT and other health care settings using warm hand-off communication either in person or by telephone. Provide health education on wellness, disease prevention, chronic care management and self-management skills to patients and personal support persons, based on the documented expertise or professional training of the PACT member. Use informal/formal communications that are respectful, effective, and timely with all team members and other internal/external customers to convey significant, clinically relevant information for the care of the patient. Collaborate with informatics technology staff to develop and implement systematized, electronically supported, standardized, tools to support PACT care delivery processes (e.g., pre-visit reminder calls, post-hospitalization follow-up calls, recall scheduling procedures, new patient orientation, disease registries and primary care protocols for chronic disease management) as needed. Responsible for specific role assignments, including: Participate in PACT huddles/meetings Participate in process improvements and system redesign Promote personal, pro-active, Veteran Centered care Use shared decision making Assist with pre-visit phone calls to Veterans to complete reminders as appropriate and obtain reason for appointment if not indicated. Review daily clinic schedule for patient care needs Collaborate with PACT members to develop comprehensive health care plans and care management plans for Veterans assigned to panel. Use motivational interviewing and apply TEACH techniques to guide patients in setting goals. Manage clinic flow which includes the following: Vital signs and treatments as indicated/appropriate Complete appropriate clinical reminders Assist the provider with exam/procedures Administer and track immunizations Prepare and administer medications Complete orders per provider or protocol Keep providers on schedule Keep Veterans advised of delays/wait times Ensure visit closure Observe, record and report patient's response or changes in patient's condition Promptly recognize and respond to urgent or emergent situations Assist with orientation of new employees. Coordinate group visits. Check daily equipment/supplies and restock the exam rooms Promptly recognize and respond to urgent or emergent situations. Participate in group visits with team members Follow medical center policies Act as patient advocate; assuring patient understands content of visit and when to return to clinic, as well as how to contact team between visits. Promote patient and personal safety. Assist Care Manager in coordinating care for patients assigned to the PACT when Veterans are: Walking into the clinic without an appointment (take vital signs and gather data) Discharged from non-VA hospitals or seen in non-VA Emergency Departments Re-assigned to or from another PACT Receiving care from providers of specialty care Receiving care from several health care providers (dual care) Undergoing complex or high risk surgical or interventional procedures Help assure that there is no lapse in care for the patient Needing relevant information communicated to involved providers Makes PACT members aware of transitions of assigned patients between care settings and are involved when needed to facilitate safe, effective, and Veteran-centered transitions. New patient to the VA (take vital signs and gather data, clinical reminders) Collaborating with PACT members to incorporate the logistical elements of care coordination into comprehensive care management plans. Complete the TEACH for Success training and Motivational Interview training. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. 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). GRADE DETERMINATION: In addition to the basic requirements, 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-3. 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-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria 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. OR (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5. (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. (b) 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 (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. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. (f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. (g) 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. (a) Completion of at least 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 of 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) 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/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. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: 1 year clinical experience. REFERENCES: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13, April 10, 2003. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The work requires heavy lifting (over 45 pounds), pushing (up to 5 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (up to 5 hours), standing, kneeling (up to 5 hours), repeated bending (up to 5 hours), both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, good vision is required, hearing (aid permitted), and mental and emotional stability.

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 Jonathan M Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center 77 Wainwright Drive Walla Walla, WA 99362 US
• Name: Randi Tran
• Phone: 509-434-7000 X6680
• Email: [email protected]