Summary

The West Palm Beach Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center is looking for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to work in Ambulatory Care Service. The Licensed Practical Nurse functions as a member of the health care team by demonstrating an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for self-direction in carrying out complex practical nursing care assignments within the (PACT) Primary Care Clinics for Veterans . The LPN will report directly to the Nurse Manager.

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
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• 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 granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN
• Licensure - Active - full - current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) - of the United States or the District of Columbia
• Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.GS-07: The GS-07 grade level is for select - complex LPN/LVN positions - as established by each health care facility
• To be advanced - employees must meet all of the following standards - provided the standard is part of their assignment
• Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-06 level or equivalent - fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-06 LPN/LVN
• The following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) must be met: Knowledge and skills necessary to care out more specialized patient care duties - including assignments in more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings
• Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery making astute observations of subtle - less obvious changes (both physical and emotional) in patient's conditions and taking the appropriate action
• Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/OD in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments - accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments and appropriately recording patient's response to medications/treatments received
• Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations
• Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting health lifestyles for more positive outcomes
• Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control - resistant or abusive behaviors - or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions
• Skill - creativity - and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels
• Comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care
• Ability to support the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery
• Preferred Experience and Certifications Acute Care Experience PACT Experience Ambulatory Care Experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position - with or without reasonable accommodation - without hazard to themselves or others
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - and sitting
• Applicants may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing
• Applicants may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• Applicants must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - and able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Applicants must possess the mental and physical ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment
• Physical requirements may involve lifting - carrying - pulling - pushing - reaching above shoulder - walking - standing - sitting - kneeling - and repeated bending
• Applicants must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment.

Duties

• LPN/LVN responsibilities include: The Ambulatory Care Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) GS-7 functions as a member of the health care team by demonstrating an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for self-direction in carrying out complex practical nursing care assignments within the PACT Primary Care Clinics for a Veteran population with a variety of health care needs
• The PACT team is comprised of a provider (MD - NP - PA - or DO) - RN - LPN - and administrative support person (MSA)
• Although this position partners with other PACT team members - PACT LPNs successfully and consistently demonstrate independent technical judgment as well as comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of complex practices and procedures
• Incumbent demonstrates knowledge - experience - skill - and self-motivation to carry out complex patient assignments - which include prioritization and coordination of clinical activities with minimal supervision
• PACT team members have independent duties within the team to ensure that the patient panel is receiving high quality care and has access to care - including same-day access
• Position requires completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent - fully meeting all the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN
• The incumbent collaborates with a PACT team to provide complex/specialized patient-centered care to a panel of approximately 1200 patients taking into consideration patients' ages - cultural backgrounds - education level - and any other special needs
• The panel population is multifaceted - including geriatric patients - patients from all war-time eras - female patients - and patients with complex psychiatric needs
• The LPN completes assigned duties and responsibilities that involve performing non-standard and specialized practical nursing activities requiring broad nursing knowledge - experience - and skills to address a wide range of care needs
• In addition to performing the duties of a GS-6 PACT LPN - the incumbent demonstrates self-direction in performing an extensive range of nursing care according to established policies and procedures - which includes an expanded scope of practice
• The LPN has complex responsibilities above the level of a GS-6 - including nurse health maintenance visits - panel management - data analysis - and performance/quality improvement roles
• These responsibilities also include independent implementation of evidence-based nursing practice and demonstration of advanced competence that promotes quality patient care to improve outcomes - safety - and performance metrics
• This grade level position requires broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general - and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in PACT panel management - modification of treatment plans - and organizational performance improvement initiatives
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Available Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized