Licensed Practical Nurse - Renal Clinic

Licensed Practical Nurse

The LPN/LVN GS-7 will:

• Function independently for the care provided to an outpatient team in the Renal Clinic.
• Monitors schedules and consults and discuss issues with administrative and clerical staff when challenges to flow of the clinic arise.
• Coordinate care between multiple clinics/providers with Lebanon VA Medical Center and the community.
• Assigns care to the most appropriate level of skill required for the tasks/duties.
• Determines priority of care needs and communicates to the other LPNs any expectations of care.
• Possesses the knowledge and skills to carry out more specialized patient care activities such as complex procedures, etc. The LPN 7 in Renal clinic is responsible for setting up home blood pressure monitoring, complex medication titration as established by the provider; serving as the liaison between community Hemodialysis Centers and this facility; serves as a liaison for setting up specialized care for port-a-caths, shunts, etc.; initiating difficult care conversations associated with the initiation of dialysis, resignation of dialysis/end of life care, etc. This individual will be responsible for observations of the veteran's present status are made and interventions implemented to improve, restore, or maintain the optimal function of the veteran.
• Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. The LPN 7 is responsible for acute and chronic renal insufficiency patients to ensure they maintain their treatment plan- managing care- similar to a Care Manager. The LPN 7 will be responsible for tracking the Veterans through to decompensation, thus requiring hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, to initiation of further workup, initiation of ports/shunts, and through the end of treatment. Due to the nature of this patient population, this may require years of time intensive care conversations and care management not only with the Veteran but support people within their lives.
• Has knowledge of programs/specialty area's regulations and is able to carry out objectives of the Nursing department. In doing this, follows the guidelines to meet and maintain program requirements. Will serve as technical/clinical resource for all issues related to Renal care/HD prior to and during accrediting body survey activities.
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. The LPN/LVN observes physical and/or emotional changes in patient's health condition, and promptly and accurately reports identified changes/deviations to NM, ANM, or providers, and documents identified changes.
• Performs support duties for diagnostic procedures, which include preparing the Veteran and monitoring the Veteran's condition, actively involved within the time out, and tracking any reusable medical equipment used during the procedure.
• Serves as a role model, mentor, and resource to other nursing staff within the Medicine Specialty Clinics, in the application of the nursing process and patient care.
• Coordinates the transfer of Veterans to a more acute level of care as applicable. Performing support duties for transport to the Emergency Department (ED) as necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:15am - 3:45pm

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

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 position.

Functional Statement #: PD000000

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

US Department of Veterans Affairs