The PACT LPN/LVN will collaborate with Patient, Primary Care Provider, RN Care Manager, Clinical Associate and Clerical Associate and expanded Team (family/caregiver, internal and community-based services involved in providing care to the patient). Contributes to the nursing process through data collection and incorporates evidence-based practices to individuals and groups focusing on cost-effective ways to maximize wellness, prevent illness, and manage acute and chronic diseases.

Duties

Patient Care/Training/Education Uses sound clinical judgment and has the ability to vary the order and sequence of assignments based on patients' conditions. Utilizes knowledge of physical, social, and emotional factors when planning patient care, and uses this knowledge effectively in day-to-day interactions with patients and families. Recognizes deviations from patient's baseline. Demonstrates ability to respond to patient's immediate and long-term needs. Prepares and administers medications correctly and understands the action and side effects of all medications administered. 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. Performs basic treatments and procedures with well thought out skill and knowledge, to include venipuncture as defined in policy. Applies knowledge of Medical Center Policies and Procedures to his/her daily clinical functions and responsibilities. Patient Safety Applies knowledge of effective verbal interactions and preventative tactics, such as the use of the least restrictive environment, when confronted by aggressive or potentially assaultive patients. Knowledge of physical, social, and emotional factors when planning patient care, and uses this knowledge appropriately to Condition A &C and Code Blue emergencies. Recognizes and initiates life saving measures appropriately in the absence of other members of the Healthcare Team. Participates in the planning and/or implementation of various codes and emergency management procedures. Uses safe techniques when giving patient care and handling equipment, using standard precautions and personal/patient protective equipment. Recognizes and reports unsafe situations. Initiates appropriate emergency interventions. Stewardship Conducts group meetings to help patients share feelings, improve socialization skills and enhance their self-esteem. Applies knowledge of human behavior and the various degrees of physical and mental impairment, is able to modify patient/family teaching methods. Assists the professional nurse in planning and implementation of patient educational or recreational activities. Motivates patients to participate in learning and recreational activities to improve their quality of life. Customer Service Recognizes patient care management difficulties or problems and makes suggestions for change. Communicates with patients and families in a calming, reassuring, and supportive manner. Assesses the need for and provides emotional support to the dying patient and family. Observes patient while on the unit and more frequently as directed in accordance with facility policies. Maintains courtesy during telephone and direct verbal interactions with patients, families, and visitors. Interpersonal Relationships Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients and all members of the Interdisciplinary Team. Has ability to elicit feelings, attitudes, and promote positive communication and socialization skills with patients. Motivates others to support Medical Center policies and procedures. Assumes a leadership role with Nursing Assistants in planning and implementing patient care. Provides assistance to team members in managing difficult patients when acting as a team leader or team member. Environmental Safety Compliance Maintains a safe work environment and adheres to Safety and Infection Control Guidelines. Utilizes proper body mechanics, encourages others to do so, and includes information regarding prevention of injury during unit In-service and Patient Care Conferences. Responds promptly and effectively to Fire and Disaster Drills and alarms, actively assisting others as needed. Has knowledge of the spread of infection by practicing and motivating others to adhere to Infection Control Guidelines to help prevent the spread of communicable diseases and resistant organisms. Reusable Medical Equipment Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) is any medical equipment designed by the manufacturer to be reused for multiple patients. All personnel must understand that improper use and reprocessing of medical devices poses significant negative impact on our Veteran population through the risk of infectious disease Complies with established policies and procedures based on Directive 1116(2) Sterile Processing Services. Work Schedule: 7:30-4:00, varies on medical facility needs Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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 include 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 OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN. Licensure - Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, 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-03 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-04 (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-05 Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care. Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous medications. This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition. Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest. Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies. GS-06 Proficiency 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, using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, and accurately recognizing, reporting, and recording relevant patient information. Ability to observe, identify, and response to a patient's needs for care including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for, documents, and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations and the ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members and other staff. Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which includes preparing the patient and 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. Preferred Experience and Certifications 1-2 years of PACT LVN experience or out-patient experience. Salary for this position ranges dependent upon applicant qualifications Grade 3: $56,648-$73,639 annually Grade 4: $63,588-$82,658 annually Grade 5: $71,144-$92,482 annually Grade 6: $77,418-$100,647 annually Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 6. Physical Requirements: The population of male and female patients served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. VA San Francisco Health Care System is a health care facility, providing acute medical, surgical, behavioral health, physical medicine and rehabilitation, geriatric, and primary care services predominately to veterans, but in special cases, includes active duty military and civilian populations. This position requires visual acuity (Correctable to 20/40), hearing clear distinctive speech (correctable to 20db), and manual dexterity to perform prescribed procedures/computer usage. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or during patient operative/invasive procedures. 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, and is able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address San Francisco VA Medical Center 4150 Clement Street San Francisco, CA 94121 US
• Name: Angelica Ratliff
• Phone: (925) 356-5892
• Email: [email protected]