Licensed Practical Nurse-PACT Clinical Associate

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Licensed Practical Nurse (PACT) Clinical Associate for outpatient care. This role involves performing complex LPN tasks under RN supervision to address challenging nursing problems in a VA clinic setting.

Applicants may be referred while completing requirements, but may not be hired until all licensure and credentialing are met. The GS-7 level reflects advanced LPN practice with specialized KSAs.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an approved practical nursing program.
• Current, full, unrestricted LPN/LVN license in the United States or jurisdiction.
• Citizenship and English proficiency as required for VA employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide complex LPN care in an outpatient clinic under RN supervision.
• Assist RN/MD with patient care priorities and medication administration.
• Document care provided and patient responses per policy.

Skills

English proficiency

Medication administration

Vital signs monitoring

Patient education

Education

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license

Job description

The Licensed Practical Nurse (PACT) Clinical Associate carries out the most complex practical nursing care assignments, which include performing nonstandard and specialized activities sufficient to solve a range of complex nursing problems, under the general review of a Registered Nurse (RN) in the outpatient clinic.

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. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d)

Education-Documentation Submitted:

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: (1) 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. (2) VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions. (3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.

Licensure-Documentation Submitted:

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. 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-7 (SF-50 Submitted if Applicable):

In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A, the following qualification criteria must be met. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. The GS-7 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-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. The following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) must be met: Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, 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. Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient 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 through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and impleme