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). Grade Determinations: 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/L VNs 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. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

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]