Licensed Vocational Nurse- Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT)

Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Location: Santa Rosa
Posted on: May 13, 2022

Job Description:

Summary The PACT is responsible for providing for all of a patient's health care needs or appropriately coordinating care with other qualified professionals. Responsibilities Employee complies with Department of Nursing/Unit specific and Medical center policies, procedures standards and protocols regarding direct care of patients, including medication administration, patient care planning, assessment and documentation of patient condition and response to treatment. Employee establishes work priorities and completes assignments in a timely manner with minimal supervision. 1. Provides/assists patients in keeping with Department of Nursing standards, to accomplish a full range of personal care with attention to preserving personal dignity, autonomy, religious preferences, cultural values, and age appropriate needs. 2. Observes, recognizes and reports significant or adverse changes in patients' condition in a timely fashion and responds appropriately to emergency situations. 3. Prepares and administers prescribed medications and performs treatments according to established policies procedures. Observes for physical and or emotional changes in patients' conditions from prescribed medications/treatments promptly and accurately documents noted changes reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO. 4. Administers all appropriate respiratory therapies for example: oxygen saturation, aerosolized medications, inhalers, oxygen via nasal prongs or mask, and others as assigned. 5. Provides additional patient care responsibilities including consistent special efforts and quality in wound care, pulmonary care, skin care, and other measures to prevent complications as directed. 6. Assists with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as applying and reading skin tests, utilizing doppler to check pulses, urinary drainage devices maintenance and removal with trial voiding, ostomy maintenance and care. 7. Observes, recognizes and reports significant or adverse changes in patients' condition in a timely fashion and responds appropriately to emergency situations. 8. Initiates patient /family interactions daily which provide emotional and psychological support. 9. Demonstrates knowledge and correct usage of skills in intervening and managing potentially violent and /or suicidal patients. Demonstrates knowledge of and correct usage of medical and psychiatric terminology/diagnosis. 10. Monitors and helps of patient traffic to ensure minimal wait times for patients and to keep providers daily schedules on time. 11. Complies with all universal precaution and infection control policies and procedures. 12. Completes PACT Sweeping/Scrubbing. 13. Attends and participates in huddles, pre-visit planning and team meetings. 14. Makes pre-visit calls for PACT. 15. Participates in Secure Messaging. 16. Communicates effectively with outside providers and organizations. 17. Completes discharge calls when needed. 18. Completes nursing care activities and covers other teams' assignments as directed. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment 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: U.S. citizenship: Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education or Training: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State Agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN); OR Received health care education/training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualified for full LPN/LVN licensure 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. Physical Standards: Must pass a pre-employment examination, if selected. 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), 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). Preferred Experience: Grade Determinations: GS-3 Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Experience: Six (6) months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN. OR Education and Experience. Graduation from an approved school 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 Education: Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5 Experience: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment and fully meets all of the performance requirements for the GS-4 LPN/LVN.In addition to meeting the basic requirements and grade determinations, applicant must demonstrate the following: 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. 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. GS-6 Experience: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-5 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment and fully meets all of the performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. In addition to meeting the basic requirements and grade determinations, applicant must demonstrate the following: 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. 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. 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. Physical Requirements: Physical qualifications require the ability to stand. walk, bend. and move freely. Must be able to utilize good body mechanics in lifting or restraining patients. Must have good hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity. Must be clean and neat in appearance. Must be emotionally stable and cooperative. Work is accomplished predominantly on the nursing unit and through escorting to various clinics or hospital areas. The physical surroundings involve working with the acute and chronically physically and mentally ill patients, which may cause discomfort related to negative verbal and physical activities from these patients. Education References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualifications Standard, dated April 10, 2003, http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: Involves considerable amount of standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. Requires carrying or lifting of objects weighing up to 50 lbs, but occasionally may require work that involves pushing or lifting in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down fights of stairs. The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care. The position requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulders level or with neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally ill clients. Requires use of hands for actions such as typing, simple grasping, fine manipulation, and repetitive action. Requires the ability to frequently respond to multiple demands and priorities. Has potential for exposure to infections diseases, hazardous waste and chemicals. Emotional and mental stability- ability to effectively perform the essential functions of the position and respond appropriately in emergency situations. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

Keywords: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Santa Rosa , Licensed Vocational Nurse- Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT), Healthcare , Santa Rosa, California