Licensed Practical Nurse- Patient Aligned Care Team

Summary

The PACT LPN at the Wilkes-Barre VAMC serves as one of the core members of the Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT). The LPN works in collaboration with the Primary care Provider (PCP), Registered Nurse Care Manager and the Medical Support Assistant (MSA). Together, with the patient and their caregiver support system, they work to manage the care of a panel of adult patients across the continuum.

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Duties

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The Licensed Practical Nurse in this position is:

• Responsible for the daily management of the PCP's scheduled appointments. This is accomplished by interviewing the patient and assisting the PCP with preventative care and/or chronic disease management by obtaining vital signs, completing a medication review, review allergies and update PCP, offering patient education, completing screening questions (clinical reminders) for a variety of preventative and/or chronic disease measures, complete diabetic at risk foot screenings administers ordered immunization, other ordered injections and all other ordered medications, and assists with exams/procedures (i.e. pelvic exams, joint injections, wound care, bladder scans).
• Responsible for the daily management of the assigned PACT teams Nurse Intervention clinic. When assistance is needed, the LPN will communicate with the PACT RN to ensure scheduled patients are roomed as scheduled. Common Nurse Intervention appointments managed by the LPN are scheduled for, but not limited to: Vitamin B12 injections, adult vaccines, blood pressure checks, medication review and education, diagnosis specific education, glucometer teaching, issue a blood pressure machine, EKGs, etc.
• Receives an assignment from the Nurse Manager or the Charge RN. Assignment is subject to change as needed to support patient care. Assignments may include but are not limited to: PACT teams, Nurse Intervention clinics, Flu vaccine clinic, COVID specimen collection, COVID vaccine clinics, CBOC lab (if applicable), 1:1 safety watch, Ear Irrigation Clinic.
• Responsible for reviewing/scrubbing the PACT teams schedule following the applicable standard operating procedure: PACT Huddles. Main components of scrubbing include, but are not limited to:
  • Reviews PCP and Nurse Intervention daily and weekly schedules.
  • Patient care needs and any concerns or issues to be reviewed with the PACT RN Care Manager or provider.
  • Complete visit pre-work to pre-package information needed for an efficient and effective visit with the PCP to assure the Veterans needs will be met and decrease post-visit work for the PACT team.
  • Print applicable medical records from Joint Legacy Viewer (JLV) and/or Non-VA Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and provide records to the provider in preparation for the appointment.
  • Reviews for an alternate visit modality such as non-face-to-face appointment, group visit, secure message, telephone visit, or an appointment with another PACT or extended PACT team member and discusses with the provider.
  • Identify clinical reminders that may appropriate for completion ahead of time via pre-visit phone call.
  • Check chart for evidence of hospital admissions/ER visits and alerts the PACT team.
  • Medication review by reviewing list and highlighting expired prescriptions and medications not being refilled so provider can be alerted.
  • Review plan of care from last visit with PCP to assure all tests and consults needed for current visit have been completed and results are available including non-VA care.
  • Other responsibilities include actively participating and attending the daily huddle, PACT team meetings, assisting the PACT team and other interdisciplinary team members with panel management such as follow-up of normal lab and test results, management of the iFOBT kit not returned report and care coordination. Is an active participant in planning, implementation, and evaluation of care.
  • Responsible for entering no-show note for Nurse Intervention appointments. Follow-up with no-show patients to identify care needs, rational for missed appointments and ensure patient safety.
  • And other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 07:45a-1615 Monday - Friday

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Bargaining Unit: Yes

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Physical Requirements: Standing (up to 2 hours), walking (up to 6 hours), stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning; repositioning patients, assisting with transfers; pushing or lifting in excess of 45 pounds; visual (corrected to 20/30 or better with color discrimination); auditory acuity; arms above shoulder level; neck in a fully flexed or extended position; work on computers for extended periods of time. Work is primarily conducted in a well-ventilated, adequately heated and cooled building. May be exposed to inclement weather when traveling around medical center. May be exposed to normal office irritants - dust, pollen, noise, vibrations, or odors. May be exposed to therapy animals with and without advanced notice. May be exposed to patients and family in emotional upheaval or extreme pain. Must have emotional stability to properly care for usual patient population.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

NOTE: Prior to accepting a final employment offer, all selected applicants will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding regarding deployment responsibilities

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination and maintain CDT physical readiness.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Must be able to meet physical demands which include strenuous physical activity to include carrying persons and equipment, walking long distances over difficult terrain, running, climbing, working long hours in primitive or arduous conditions, long periods of standing, and bending and stooping.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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: Written and Spoken
• Physical Standards: All applicants must meet the physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to employment may be required.
• 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.
• 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. 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. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Preferred Experience: Outpatient clinic experience preferred. & Minimum of 2yr LPN experience.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A, 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-3

• None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4

• Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or
• Graduation from an approved school 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. 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-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. 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 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 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/27, Part II, Appendix G13, LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated April 10, 2003.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.

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: 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:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Please Note: In accordance with Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM) bulletin (dated 10/1/2019), Human Resources Management Letter NO. 05-19-12, although hybrid title 38 occupations follow title 5 Veterans' preference rules, as required by the Merit Systems Protection Board (Graves v. VA, 117 M.S.P.R. 697 (2012)), 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference to external applicants for appointments made during FY 2020 to hybrid title 38 occupations reported among the occupations with the largest staffing shortages. FY 2025 VHA Shortage Occupations Approved for Waiver of Veterans' Preference are as follows: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, 0647; Medical Instrument Technician, 0649; Medical Records Technician, 0675; Medical Supply Aide and Technician, 0622; Medical Support Assistant, 0679; Medical Technologist, 0644; Practical Nurse, 0620; Psychologist, 0180; Nursing Assistant 0621

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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