This position is located at Lebanon VA Medical Center - Medicine Specialty Clinics in Lebanon, PA. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) will serve as Charge Nurse for the Endocrine Clinic.

Duties

The Endocrine Clinic Charge Nurse is responsible for acute and chronic endocrine insufficiency patients to ensure they maintain their treatment plan, managing care similar to a Care Manager. The Charge Nurse will be responsible for then tracking the Veterans through to, initiation of further workup, initiation insulin pumps and monitor care, and through the possible change of treatment. Due to the nature of this patient population - this may require years of time intensive care conversations and care management not only with the Veteran, but support people within their lives. This individual will be responsible for observations of the veteran's present status are made and interventions implemented to improve, restore, or maintain the optimal function of the veteran. Major duties include, but are not limited: Functions independently for the care provided to an outpatient team in the Endocrine Clinic. Monitors schedules and consults and discuss issues with administrative and clerical staff when challenges to flow of the clinic arise. Coordinates care between multiple clinics/providers within Lebanon VA Medical Center and the community. Assigns care to the most appropriate level of skill required for the tasks/duties. Determines priority of care needs and communicates to the other LPNs, any expectations of care. Possesses the knowledge and skills to carry out more specialized patient care activities, such as complex procedures, etc. Prepares and administers prescribed medications and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Performs support duties for diagnostic procedures, which include preparing the Veteran and monitoring the Veteran's condition, actively involved within the time out, and tracking any Reusable Medical Equipment used during the procedure. Serves as a role model, mentor, and resource to other nursing staff within the Medicine Specialty Clinics, in the application of the nursing process and patient care. Coordinates the transfer of Veterans to a more acute level of care, as applicable. Performing support duties for transport to the Emergency Department (ED) as necessary. Reports required information for hand-off communication to the Rapid Response Team (RRT), provides Basic Life Support (BLS) in the first few minutes of an emergency, supports team while in the clinic or enroute. Completes all necessary supporting documentation. Educates Veterans on their care needs. Communicating with families and significant others, as appropriate. Assists other staff in prioritization of overall veteran care needs and adjusts plan of care as needed. Has astute assessment skills, which allow for observation of obvious and subtle changes in the veteran health condition. Responds diligently to the veteran changes and deteriorating condition in emergent situations, notifying appropriate personnel in a timely manner. Demonstrates the ability to work independently without the need for readily available supervision. Demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform treatments, procedures, and the use and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment and appropriate to assigned duties. Exhibits skills, creativity and initiative by contributing to the overall veteran care delivery, and improving satisfaction, through participation on committees, task forces, and groups. Familiarizes self with how work activities impact VA's goals and implements sound stewardship practices that are protective of all cultural, material, human, and informational resources. Sets up home blood glucose monitoring; glucose monitor downloads, complex medication titration (insulins) as established by the provider; serving as the liaison between providers in Endocrine and this facility Serves as a liaison for setting up specialized care for Libre, insulin pumps, medication titration, etc., initiating difficult care conversations associated with the initiation of diabetic care, correct/accurate home monitoring etc. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: 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. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. Exceptions:(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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. 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. Experience: 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. Demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas. Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff. Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. Preferred Experience: At least two years of outpatient endocrine experience and specialty clinic experience. References: VA Handbook 5005/3 Part II Appendix G13. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7.

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 Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 South Lincoln Avenue Lebanon, PA 17042 US
• Name: Melanie Johnson
• Phone: (412) 822-2048
• Email: [email protected]