Licensed Practical Nurse-Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Daytona Beach (FL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Daytona Beach, FL seeks a PACT LPN Clinical Associate to perform complex practical nursing care under the supervision of an RN in the outpatient clinic.

The incumbent reports to the Daytona Beach VA Clinic-1776 N Williamson Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32117. Preferred candidates will have strong LPN/LVN clinical skills, experience with Veterans Affairs procedures, and the ability to work closely with RNs and providers to support comprehensive patient care

Qualifications

• Graduate of a state-approved practical nursing program.
• Active, unrestricted LPN/LVN licensure in the United States.
• Proficient in spoken and written English.
• Able to perform under general supervision with independent technical judgment.

Responsibilities

• Exercise independent technical judgment in complex nursing care.
• Assist RN/MD to prioritize Veteran care needs and adjust plans.
• Administer prescribed medications/treatments and document responses.
• Contribute to developing and modifying patient care plans as needed.

Skills

LPN/LVN patient care

Clinical assessment

Independent judgment

Team collaboration

Education

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license

Job description

Summary

The PACT LPN 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. The incumbent will report to the Daytona Beach VA Clinic-1776 N Williamson Blvd - Daytona Beach - FL 32117.

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 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
• [Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website
• (See exceptions below)] 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 Determination: In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• 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-6 level or equivalent - fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN
• Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties - including assignments in selected - more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings
• Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions
• Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans
• Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery
• Makes astute observations of subtle - less obvious changes - both physical and emotional - in patient's condition - and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan
• Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention
• At this grade level - the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing - and - as appropriate - modifying patient care treatment
• They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations
• 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
• Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions - promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate - prescribed interventions
• 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
• This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision
• Exhibits 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
• Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice
• Possesses 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
• Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology - effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas
• Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery
• Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO
• In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level - the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff
• Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision
• Individuals in these positions are - to a considerable extent - expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles - art and science of practical nursing
• The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice.] Preferred Experience: Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity - long periods of continued walking - standing - kneeling - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures - may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual - capable of working effectively in stressful situations - and able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Duties

• Duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Successfully and consistently demonstrates the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision) as well as a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures
• Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co- leaders in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of Veterans
• Demonstrates ability to assist RN and/or Provider to appropriately prioritize overall Veteran care needs and adjust plans for care delivery
• Completed work should only need very limited review by a registered nurse (RN) or Provider for appropriateness and conformity with established standards of practice - policies - and procedures
• Demonstrates the ability to proactively assist the RN and/or Provider in addressing Veteran's needs for medication/treatments - accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and Veteran's response to medications/treatments received
• This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level
• Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN and/or Provider of more subtle physical and emotional changes in Veteran's condition requiring higher-level intervention and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations
• Demonstrates a broad knowledge of the Veteran treatment process and exercises judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate
• At this grade level - the LPN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing and as appropriate - modifying patient care treatment
• Possesses knowledge and demonstrates skills to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent Veteran care situations - seeks assistance of the RN and/or Provider for appropriate team intervention - and effectively intervenes as directed - to assure the continuation of optimal - safe - and therapeutic Veteran care delivery
• Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions - promptly informs the RN and/or Provider of observed changes in Veteran's condition and initiates appropriate - prescribed interventions
• Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels
• Makes astute observations of subtle - less obvious changes - both physical and emotional - in Veteran's condition - and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and Veteran's response to care that could require immediate modification of the Veteran's care plan
• Assists individuals or groups of Veterans - families - and/or caregivers to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive Veteran outcomes
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 07:30am - 04:00pm (Flexible to meet needs of organization) Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 81253F