Licensed Practical Nurse - PACT

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in New York is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) to join the Primary Care Clinic. The incumbent will provide direct patient care, administer meds, and support clinical operations under RN/MD supervision.

The role includes collaboration with healthcare teams, patient education, and potential preceptorship responsibilities. EDRP participation is available with eligibility and award decisions as per VA policy.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing and licensed in the appropriate state
• Must be able to communicate in English per VA policy
• Experience in patient care and nursing procedures preferred

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care to patients in primary care/clinic settings
• Administer medications and document care per policy
• Assist in patient education and discharge planning
• Serve as a preceptor and train less experienced staff when needed

Skills

Nursing care

Emergency care

Education

LPN/LVN license

Nursing program graduate

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: GS-3. None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs(a) through (c) below: (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
• (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
• 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
• Preferred Experience: 1 year of Primary care experience preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06
• Physical Requirements:See VA Handbook 5019.

Duties

• The LPN Primary Care (PACT) serves as a responsible member of the Primary Care Clinic in the Nursing Service with complex patients and provides care to them on a regular and recurring basis
• The incumbent completes assigned duties and responsibilities which involve performing nonstandard and specialized activities at their GS level - requiring broad work experience - and demonstrated skill sufficient to resolve a range of problems
• The duties of the LPN include but are not limited to- Assesses - plans - implements and evaluates patient care by interviewing patients of variable populations Collaborates with the RN/Provider in developing and implementing a plan of care individualized to carry out the needs of the patient Contributes to the interdisciplinary team in the development - implementation and evaluation of the patient's treatment and follow-up health care Collaborates with members of other services regarding changes in patients' condition - lab results - responses to treatment plan and other pertinent parameters of care Demonstrates 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 Meets patients' needs by direct physical care and psychosocial intervention and by assuming responsibility for nursing management of unstable patients whose nursing care needs are not predictable Makes necessary judgments prior to preparing and administering prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular - and/or intravenous) - recognizing side effects and contradictions - and promptly and accurately documents noted changes and reports any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO Provides patient/significant other instruction regarding common medications Performs support duties for diagnostic procedures - which include preparing the patient - patient education - assisting in the diagnostic examination - preparing specimens - preparing and passing instruments - and monitoring the patient's condition Recognizes emergency situations - responding promptly and instituting appropriate actions Supports the patient and/or family members/significant other in the integration of the patient care plan toward achievement of discharge objectives 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 Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs and actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized