This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

The Lead Licensed Practical Nurse (Lead LPN) is assigned to the VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) Specialty Clinic within the Division of Hospital and Specialty Medicine and meets all requirements of the General Scheduled (GS) LPN level 3-6. The Specialty Clinic provides complex outpatient care to an average of over 400 patients per day in all medical, surgical and neurological subspecialties. These subspecialties hold outpatient clinic hours within Specialty Clinic's exam area with multiple disciplines running simultaneously, and all nursing support for these services is provided by the Specialty Clinic nursing staff. The Lead LPN provides clinical oversight and leadership for the day-to-day operations of the Specialty Clinic nursing staff at all clinic locations and serves as the expert in the clinical care skills and coordination of the operations of multiple clinics. The Lead LPN exercises independent technical judgment and possesses a comprehensive working knowledge of the most specialized practices and procedures within specialty care in an independent role, answering directly to the Specialty Clinic Nurse Manager/Assistant Nurse Manager. The Lead LPN manages the day-to-day patient flow operations throughout the Specialty Clinic on the Portland VA campus providing nursing support for an average of over 400 patients per day. Specialty clinics occur on different days of the week with multiple disciplines running simultaneously. The Lead LPN role is critical to effective day-to-day Specialty Clinic operations, working independently within the clinic with minimal oversight. The Lead LPN is aware of each specialty clinic nurses' competency and makes staffing assignments to reflect their appropriate skills. The Lead LPN assists with administrative and logistical operations to maintain patient flow such as requesting new or additional supplies and equipment, entering and tracking work orders, and computer work orders. The Lead LPN reports any shortfalls to the Nurse Manager and/or Assistant Nurse Manager when patient care and clinic flow are affected and issues are unable to be resolved at a lower level. The Lead LPN utilizes their expertise and is aware of each specialty clinic requirement as well as the current competency for each nurse. The incumbent is responsible for assigning the appropriate number of staff with the applicable clinical competency. S/he adjusts/changes staffing assignments including monitoring, reporting, and forecasting the daily clinic coverage needs and responding to clinic cancellation and clinic make-up request. The Lead LPN is considered the room management expert and is consulted when new providers are added and require new or additional exam space, equipment, supplies, and nursing support. This leadership role is critical to the timeliness and quality of patient care and works independently providing recommendations to the Nurse Manager/Assistant Nurse Manager. The Lead LPN is an integral member of the interdisciplinary leadership team. The Lead LPN possesses an enhanced knowledge base and expertise much greater than the GS 6 LPN, regarding the specialized outpatient medication, procedure needs, and management of the clinic. S/he supports medical procedures such as placing splints, casts, and braces in a clinical setting under the supervision of a provider. The incumbent is consulted regarding clinic operations, efficiencies, staffing, training and equipment needs. The Lead LPN is responsible for ensuring that all medications (injectable, topical, oral medications) and associated items (vaccination information statements, medication labels) are ordered in a timely manner to ensure clinic efficiency, expiration dates are routinely checked, temperature monitoring compliance is adhered to, and monitor compliance of medication labeling. Work Schedule: 8hr, 9hr or 10-hr, shift Monday-Friday Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: (a) United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part. (b) 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. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission], 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. [Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. Exceptions include:](1) 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. (2) VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions. (3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C. c. 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. An LPN[/LVN] who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. d. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. e. 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-7. The GS-7 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. NOTE: Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit. Although these positions are under the supervision of an RN and/or MD/DO, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision), as well as a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of patients. (a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. (b) Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans. (c) Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations. (d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels. (e) Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate. (f) Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision. (g) Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice. Preferred Experience: Medical-Surgery and/or outpatient and charge experience preferred. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13

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 VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Eugenia Washington-Knight
• Phone: (931) 674-1430
• Email: [email protected]