Summary

The position is assigned to Outpatient Nursing Service at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center and is located at Coeur d' Alene Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Coeur d' Alene - Idaho. The PACT LPN is responsible for observing - recording and reporting changes in the patient's condition - as well as assisting in the development and revision of the patient-driven holistic care plan for life. LPN demonstrates active collaboration and communication with the Core Team and the Expanded Team.

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: 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)
• 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 Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 - enacted October 28 - 1986
• OR 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
• 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-05: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery
• Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and /or prescribed treatment regimes
• 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
• Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO
• 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
• Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO
• Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures
• However - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review
• GS-06: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• 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
• Ability to observe - identify - and respond to a 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 - 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 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
• 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 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
• 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-5 to GS-6. Preferred Experience: One year experience as an LPN
• One year experience in Ambulatory Care setting
• Ability to adjust to ever changing work environment
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf The CDA CBOC is a VA clinic offering holistic care to U.S. military Veterans with the understanding of their unique experience and how it influences their needs
• CDA provides primary care within the PACT model: a licensed independent provider (LIP) - a RN Nurse Care Manager (NCM) - a licensed practical nurse (LPN) clinical associate (CA) - and a medical support assistant (MSA)
• In addition to primary care services - CDA has onsite lab - Social Work services - tele-audiology - physical therapy - prosthetics - optometry - behavioral health - nail care provided by nurses - Cardiology services - tele-dermatology - services for homeless Veterans - and medication management through Clinical Pharmacists
• The PACT CA will be joining an existing PACT team with a LIP who directs the care of the panel and NCM who provides case management - care coordination - and nursing care services to Veterans virtually and in-clinic
• The PACT team works together to maintain the health and well-being of their panel and to provide service that makes the Veteran want to choose VA
• The PACT CA reports directly to the CBOC Nurse Manager who provides clinical support - mentorship - and coaching to the RN and LPN staff
• The LPN must have the ability to react to situations in accordance with established policies and procedures - and ability to appropriately use this knowledge to work effectively with a wide range of patients
• Additional functions include: Ongoing - continuous care of one or more assigned panel(s) of Veterans
• Utilizing all available tools - such as registries - to enable effective and efficient identification and intervention of individual patients and cohorts
• Ensuring appropriate evaluation and access is provided to patients assigned to the patient panel
• Functioning at the full extent of the team member's relevant clinical privileges - credentials - scopes of practice - elements of practice - certification - functional statement - position description - or other VHA or local facility approved documentation of competency
• This includes blood draw - collection of lab samples - and the processing of those lab samples as required
• Participating in team performance improvement and sustainment activities to optimize team efficiency and care delivery to patients
• Implementing primary care operations management processes - as appropriate
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Additional responsibilities of the PACT LPN are outlined per VHA Handbook 1101.10(1) and as determined the Coeur d' Alene CBOC Nurse Manager
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30am to 4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual or remote position
• Functional Statement #: 000000