Licensed Practical Nurse - Primary Care

Summary The LPN – Primary Care GS‑7 position is located at the Charlotte Ave Outpatient Clinic in Nashville, TN. This position is primarily in the lab. Qualifications 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 accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at the time the program was completed. Licensure: Condition of employment; active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, Commonwealth (e.g., Puerto Rico) or the District of Columbia. LPNs who have ever had any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or placed in probation may be appointed only in accordance with regulations issued by the Under Secretary for Health or designee. Proficiency in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d); may qualify based on the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (applicable only to current VHA employees who meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: The GS‑7 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions as established by each health care facility. Advanced Placement: Employees must meet all of the following standards—provided the standard is part of their assignment. Determinations concerning placement at this grade level consider the skill mix and availability of supervision in the work unit. Independent Technical Judgment: Demonstrates the exercise of independent technical judgment without the need for readily available supervision in an environment supervised by an RN and/or MD/DO. Leadership: May serve as a leader or co‑leader in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of patients. Knowledge Base: Incorporates current patient care data into the development of the patient’s overall health plan and carries out assigned nursing interventions. Decision Making: Participates to a greater degree in prioritizing and modifying patient care treatment plans; assists the RN and/or MD/DO in appropriately prioritizing overall patient care needs. Observation & Documentation: Makes astute observations of subtle physical and emotional changes; documents care delivered and patient responses that may require immediate modification of the patient care plan. Medication Management: Assists the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient needs for medication/treatments; accurately administers prescribed medications and promptly informs the RN/MD/DO of potential drug reactions. Crisis Response: Recognizes potential urgent or emergent patient care situations and seeks assistance of the RN/MD/DO for appropriate intervention. Communication: Effective communication with patients and family members, including those with difficult or abusive behaviors, and promotes healthy lifestyle choices. Commitment to Improvement: Contributes to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient/family satisfaction through participation in committees, task forces, research projects, or development of educational materials. Customer Service: Actively promotes and incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of practice. Preferred Experience: One year of phlebotomy experience. Physical Requirements: All applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the duties of the position, lift 30 lbs or more, twist and/or bend, and stand or walk almost constantly during the course of the day. Duties The LPN – Primary Care GS‑7 is under the supervision of the Nurse Manager and demonstrates independent technical judgment. Drives practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self‑direction in complex assignments within the Primary Care Clinics for a veteran population. Applies independent technical judgment and critical thinking to carry out complex practices and procedures. Prioritizes and coordinates clinical activities with minimal supervision. Collaborates with specialty teams to provide patient‑centered care for diverse populations. Performs direct patient care activities, including drawing blood, collecting lab specimens, and processing for shipment. Manages patient care problems and deviations using self‑direction in accordance with VA Nursing Practice and LPN licensure standards. Assesses, records, and reports vital signs, neurological signs, weight, and blood glucose levels. Triages patient needs as routine, urgent, or emergent and modifies patient care/treatment as needed. Checks patients into the clinic, interviews patients and significant others, and documents intake data per policy. Serves as a resource for complex procedures such as suture removal, wound care, blood draws, ear irrigation, EKGs, nebulizer treatments, and joint injections. Assists with diagnostic procedures, including preparing the patient, setting up sterile fields, and monitoring patient conditions. Collaborates with the PACT team and other interdisciplinary services in the development, implementation, and evaluation of patient care. Follows up on abnormal results with the provider and educates patients/families on disease management and anticipated care plans. Leads the PACT team to promote holistic care and optimize clinic efficiency. Assists other staff to improve and advance their practical nursing practice. Serves as a resource and super‑user for frequently used equipment in the clinic setting (e.g., PYXIS EKG and Car Lift) and follows protocols for equipment repair and maintenance. Functions as a role model for co‑workers in guiding clinical practice. Coordinates clinical work assignments with the RN to ensure patient care needs are met. Participates in completing staff competencies on frequently used equipment. Functions as a team leader for other LPNs and non‑licensed staff as needed. Provides feedback to the Nurse Manager or designee, including observations of care provided by team members. Assists the Nurse Manager with planning and organizing specialized unit projects such as mobile flu clinics, injection clinics, and walk‑in clinics. Handles other duties as assigned. Compensation Competitive salary with regular salary increases. Pay may be adjusted to a higher step rate of the appropriate grade based on existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA. #J-18808-Ljbffr Direct Jobs