Licensed Practical Nurse (PACT Team)

Diversity Group; Wilkes-Barre (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse in Wilkes-Barre, PA, is a core member of the PACT team. The LPN collaborates with PCPs, RN Care Manager, and MSA to manage a panel of adult patients through the care continuum.

The role emphasizes bedside nursing care, patient education, and coordination with the PACT team to ensure timely, coordinated care within VA guidelines.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the state.
• Full active LPN/LVN licensure in the United States or DC.
• English proficiency in spoken and written form.
• Ability to work within a PACT team and follow facility policies.
• Authorized to provide nursing care in a VA clinical setting.

Responsibilities

• Interview patients and assist the PCP with preventative care and chronic disease management.
• Obtain vital signs, review medications, and provide patient education.
• Assist with exams, wound care, injections, and follow-up care as directed.
• Coordinate with PACT RN and other team members for care planning.
• Document patient status, medication administration, and changes to care plan.

Skills

LPN/LVN licensure

Nursing care

Patient education

Emergency response

Education

Graduate of practical/nursing program

NLNAC/ACME accreditation awareness

Tools

EMR systems

Job description

Summary

Licensed Practical Nurse at the Wilkes-Barre VAMC serves as one of the core members of the Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT). The LPN works in collaboration with the Primary care Provider (PCP) - Registered Nurse Care Manager and the Medical Support Assistant (MSA). Together - with the patient and their caregiver support system - they work to manage the care of a panel of adult patients across the continuum.

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
• 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
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006
• Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website
• Licensure: 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
• 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)
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competency required for the grade
• 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 below: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level
• however - they are expected to exercise greater judgment - require less supervision - and to operate in accordance with all established policies - procedure - and techniques
• GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• Applicants at this level must also be able to demonstrate the following KSA's: 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
• 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: 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
• Applicants at this level must also be able to demonstrate the following KSA's: Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Licensed Practical Nurse in this position is responsible for the daily management of the PCP's scheduled appointments
• This is accomplished by interviewing the patient and assisting the PCP with preventative care and/or chronic disease management by obtaining vital signs - completing a medication review - review allergies and update PCP - offering patient education - completing screening questions (clinical reminders) for a variety of preventative and/or chronic disease measures - complete diabetic at risk foot screenings administers ordered immunization - other ordered injections and all other ordered medications - and assists with exams/procedures (i.e
• pelvic exams - joint injections - wound care - bladder scans)
• Other duties include but are not limited to: Communicates with the PACT RN to ensure scheduled patients are roomed as scheduled
• Reviews PCP and Nurse Intervention daily and weekly schedules
• Completes visit pre-work to pre-package information needed for an efficient and effective visit with the PCP to assure the Veterans needs will be met and decrease post-visit work for the PACT team
• Prints applicable medical records from Joint Legacy Viewer (JLV) and/or Non-VA Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and provide records to the provider in preparation for the appointment
• Reviews for an alternate visit modality such as non-face-to-face appointment - group visit - secure message - telephone visit - or an appointment with another PACT or extended PACT team member and discusses with the provider
• Identifies clinical reminders that may appropriate for completion ahead of time via pre-visit phone call
• Reviews medication list and highlighting expired prescriptions and medications not being refilled so provider can be alerted
• Reviews plan of care from last visit with PCP to assure all tests and consults needed for current visit have been completed and results are available including non-VA care
• Participates and attending the daily huddle - PACT team meetings - assisting the PACT team and other interdisciplinary team members with panel management such as follow-up of normal lab and test results - management of the iFOBT kit not returned report and care coordination
• Is an active participant in planning - implementation - and evaluation of care
• Enters no-show note for Nurse Intervention appointments and follows-up with no-show patients to identify care needs - rational for missed appointments and ensure patient safety
• Work Schedule: 7:45am - 4:15pm - Monday through Friday
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized