The Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for a Practical Nurse to serves as a member of a team with an assigned patient load of selected patients in the Northampton Community Based Outpatient Clinic. He/she has the ability to appropriately carry out assigned patientcare based on patients' conditions.

Duties

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in this position: - Responsible for the daily management of the PCP's scheduled appointments. This is accomplished by interviewing the patient and assisting the PCP with preventative care and/or chronic disease management by obtaining vital signs, offering patient education, completing screening questions (clinical reminders) for a variety of preventative and/or chronic disease measures, manages immunization injections and all other ordered medications and assists with exams/procedures (i.e. pelvic exams, joint injections, wound care, diabetic at-risk foot screenings, bladder scans). - Other responsibilities include: assisting the PAT team of other interdisciplinary team members with panel management such as follow-up of lab and test results, management of the iFOBT kit not returned report and care coordination. Is an active participant in planning, implementation and evaluation of care. - Vaccines: Screens all recipients pre-vaccination for potential concerns as identified by facility guidelines. Educates the recipient, confirms pharmacy verification of the order, nurse verifies the order in CPRS, follows proper medication administration protocols, administers vaccine as indicated and documents vaccine administration using appropriate medical record system. Monitors post vaccination for potential side effects and refers for additional assessment/care as indicated.- Performs EKGs, phlebotomy, immunizations, suture/staple removal & others (i.e. Holter, ZIO patches pulse oximetry, finger stick blood sugars) and document appropriately. - Performs follow-up discharge calls for hospital and emergency room discharges to ensure continuity of care. - Makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the patient's response. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing Registered Nurse (RN) or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. - Identifies patient's educational needs to include equipment, medication, treatment procedures and diagnosis. Provides appropriate information to patients and their families regarding the plan of care. Based on the patient's goals, provides patient and family health education,to include self-management, health prevention and wellness. Reinforces instructions to the patient/family that were previously presented by the nurse or physician. - Adheres to Nursing Documentation guidelines per Medical Center Policy. Documents patient care into the Computerized Patient Care System (CPRS)utilizing the appropriate note title and encounter according to policy and standard operating procedures. - Actively participates in daily huddles, team meetings, and interdisciplinary opportunities to improve patient care at the program level. - Is knowledgeable about nurse protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to help deliver holistic patient centered care. Confers with RN Care manager, PCP or appropriate person to deliver care when needed. - Participates in telephone visits, VA Video Connect (VVC) visits, follow up/reminder calls, pre-visit phone calls, secure messaging and completes all view alerts. -Performs COVID-19 testing when needed, adhering to current policies, procedures, and infection control guidelines. - Demonstrates knowledge of the high risk registry and Care Assessment Needs Score. - Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate. - Knowledge of how to apply Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) techniques to resolve issues before they reach escalation. - Documents patient care into the Computerized Patient Care System (CPRS)utilizing the appropriate note title and encounter according to policy and standard operating procedures. - As indicated by Nurse Manager, monitors and records temperatures for refrigerators and reports out of range temperatures. - Completes daily quality controls checks and equipment testing, checks daily for outdated medication & supplies that include, but are not limited to: Accuchek controls, AED, Omnicell discrepancies, and crash cart checklist. Restocks supplies as needed. - Participates in Environment of Care Rounds. Work Schedule:7:45 am - 4:15 pm, Monday to Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE - PRIMARY CARE AND COMMUNITY-BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC CLINIC/PD000000 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. English Language Proficiency: Written and Spoken Physical Standards: All applicants must meet the physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to employment may be required. 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. 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. 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. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Preferred Experience: 1 year of primary care, specialty care or urgent care experience.Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A, 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Technically proficient 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; 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. 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 (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. 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 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/27, Part II, Appendix G13, LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated April 10, 2003.

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 Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center 1111 East End Boulevard Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 US
• Name: Shaunella Kennedy
• Phone: 412-822-3562
• Email: [email protected]