Summary

The GS-7 Lead LPN / LVN in Connected Care Service is responsible for goals and interventions that promote veterans in attaining maximum functional potential. This is accomplished through but not limited to fidelities such as ambulation - bowel and bladder training - dressing - grooming - bathing - oral hygiene - range of motion exercises and fall prevention modalities.

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
• Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS-07: 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-06 level or equivalent - fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-06 LPN/LVN
• The following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) must be met: Knowledge and skills necessary to care out more specialized patient care duties - including assignments in 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 making astute observations of subtle - less obvious changes (both physical and emotional) in patient's conditions and taking the appropriate action
• Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/OD in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments - accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments and appropriately recording patient's response to medications/treatments received
• Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations
• Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting health lifestyles for more positive 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
• 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
• Ability to support the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery
• Preferred Experience and Certifications 1 Year Of connected Care Telehealth experience Completion of 1 Preceptor Cohort Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• NOTE: Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who were converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 - enacted October 28 - 1986 are considered to have met the Education requirement
• The waiver does not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions
• Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position - with or without reasonable accommodation - without hazard to themselves or others
• Depending on the essential duties of a specific position - usable vision - color vision - hearing or speech may be required
• However - in most cases - a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid.

Duties

• Identifies age-specific or population-specific learning needs and provides patient education materials and documents teaching in the medical record
• Teaching may include pre-and post-op care - diabetic self-care - wound/stoma care - activities of daily living - self-administration of medication - common disease specific education - health coaching - injection training - blood glucose checks - dietary concerns - tobacco cessation - and additional procedures as directed by RN or LIP
• May assist with orientation of newly hired LPN/LVN employees - including those at the same - lower - or higher grade
• Ensures documentation in the medical record reflects conversation with Veterans - families - and other members of the healthcare team - including actions taken - communication that has occurred - and follow up as needed
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular - and/or intravenous medications in accordance with 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 LIP
• Takes appropriate initial action to address adverse reactions
• Records and reports - observations - and discussions in CPRS
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize and report abnormalities - take initial corrective action - and report to the RN and/or LIP to ensure prioritization of overall patient care needs is accomplished and plans for care delivery are carried out per orders and the plan of care
• Identify actual and potential psychological triggers to escalation and mitigate them through interpersonal interaction - identify when the Veteran has begun escalation and take appropriate action to de-escalate and ensure safety of Veteran - visitors - and staff - and communicate observations and interventions to the RN or LIP so appropriate follow up can be arranged
• Competent with new equipment as technology changes within the field of healthcare related to role in ambulatory care
• performs procedures appropriate to the clinic under the general supervision of an RN or LIP and within their licensed scope of practice
• administers medication - including oral - injectable - transdermal - suppository - and other modalities of delivery under the general supervision of an RN or LIP and within their licensed scope of practice
• Competent in the setup - the reprocessing - the procurement - the trialing - or use of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) as applicable for all equipment for which s/he has been trained
• Practices aseptic techniques during sterile procedures
• Complies with RME requirements - proactively identifying potential concerns with standardization - cleaning processes - and patient care needs
• Intervenes to address identified concerns
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Travel: Up to 25% may be required
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.