Practical Nurse (PACT)

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 Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) GS-6 is a full performance level position. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of 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.

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.

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 (, Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia.

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 7402(d), and 7407(d) Grade Determinations : GS-3 None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 Experience : (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR (b) Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) 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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5 (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.

b) 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.

c) 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.

d) 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.

e) 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.

f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage / malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.

g) 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 (a) 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.

b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.

c) 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.

d) 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.

e) 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.

f) 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.

g) 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.

h) 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.

i) 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.

j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice.

References : VA HANDBOOK 5005 / 3 PART II APPENDIX G13 The full performance level of this vacancy is actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.

• Physical Requirements : Heavy lifting; moderate carrying; straight pulling; pulling hand over hand; pushing; reaching above shoulders;
• use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; kneeling; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously;
• Near vision correctable; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20 / 20 and to 20 / 40 in the other; good vision; depth perception;

ability to distinguish colors; ability to distinguish shades of color; mental stability; emotional stability "VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse : Licensed Practical Nurse - Assigned Duties : 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.

The LPN demonstrates active collaboration and communication with the Core Team (Patient, Primary Care Provider, RN Care Manager and the Clerical Associate) and the Expanded Team (family / caregiver, internal and community based services involved in providing care to the patient).

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.

Collaborating with informatics technology staff to develop and implement systematized, electronically supported, standardized, tools to support PACT care delivery processes (, pre visit reminder calls, post-hospitalization follow-up calls, recall scheduling procedures, new patient orientation, disease registries and primary care protocols for chronic disease management).

Providing evaluation and care consistent with licensure, certification, and functional statement with elements of practice, to patients assigned PACTs.

Collaborating with PACT staff to develop comprehensive health care plans and care management plans for patients assigned to patient panels.

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.

Work Schedule : Mon-Fri 0730-1600 Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance) : Not Authorized Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, 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 $ 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 # : 0000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report : Not required"