The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for an Practical Nurse. The Practical Nurse will function in Medicine-Infectious Disease Service.

Duties

Duties: -Makes observations and thoroughly documenting patient care, seeking assistance and guidance by informing the HIV PACTRN or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher level intervention -Performing, reporting, and recording assigned nursing care in the HIV PACT clinic including, but not limited to oxygen therapy, PVRs, medication administration to include vaccinations and IV medication if certified, basic wound care and clinical reminders -Reviewing expiration dates of medications and supplies -Documenting and assisting with minor procedures, including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment, positioning patient to ensure comfort and privacy and monitoring the patient during the procedure -Adhering to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication -Demonstrating professional behavior (i.e., respect, civility, ability to accept constructive criticism), effective communication and interpersonal skills -Adhering to principles of infection control, safety, and universal precautions including the proper handling and pre-cleaning of reusable medical equipment -Demonstrating competence utilizing special equipment needed to perform job -Maintaining confidentiality of electronic, written, and/or verbal patient information -Providing evaluation and care consistent with licensure, certification, and functional statement with elements of practice, to patients assigned PACTs -Managing clinic workflow. Ensuring patients are placed in examination rooms in a timely manner, and providing direction to patients as they move through the clinic environment-Demonstrating understanding of age-and population-specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran -Recognizing urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeking assistance and effectively intervening as directed when appropriate -Providing patient and family health education, to include self-management, prevention and wellness -Interacting and communicating appropriately with patients and family members -Demonstrating professional behavior (i.e., respect, civility, ability to accept constructive criticism), effective communication and interpersonal skills -Serving as a resource and advocate in the protection of patient and family rights -Engaging patients in using health care, encouraging patients to engage personal support persons, receiving input from patients and personal support persons regarding VA care -Using formal and informal communications that are respectful, effective, timely, and bidirectional with all team members (including the patient and personal support persons) to convey significant, clinically relevant information for the care of the patient -Assisting in the orientation and competency validation of students, peers, and clerical staff -Completing mandatory reviews, including motivational interviewing, in order to promote patient self-management toward individualized life plan of care -Supporting patient-driven care in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner, using evidence-based principles -Utilizing all available tools, such as registries, to enable effective and efficient identification and intervention of individual patients and cohorts -Participating in team performance improvement and sustainment activities to optimize team efficiency and care delivery to patients -Managing communications and facilitating safe transitions of patients between the PACT's site of care and other health care settings, using informal and formal communication methods, as appropriate -Providing health education and health coaching on wellness, disease prevention, chronic care management, and self-management skills to patients and personal support persons, commensurate with the documented expertise or professional training of the PACT member -Collaborating with PACT staff to develop comprehensive health care plans and care management plans for patients assigned to patient panels Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm 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. 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. 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. 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. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section 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. 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-3: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 4 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. 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. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: Include but are not limited to ability to withstand long periods of standing, sitting, walking, bending, pushing, and pulling. Lifting may be required through mechanical lifting equipment and/or other approved patient handling aids which are used to prevent the manual lifting and handling of patients/residents except when necessary, such as in a medical emergency. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50lbs. Patient mental status and physical habitus may require the incumbent to be able to assist patients during transfer that is required of examinations. Specific vision abilities required by this job function include but are not limited to close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

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 VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System 10701 East Boulevard Cleveland, OH 44106 US
• Name: Anastasia Sears
• Phone: 216-314-9319
• Email: [email protected]