The Cincinnati, OH VA Medical Center is seeking a License Practical Nurse - Clinical Associate to work in the Vaccine Clinic. LPN may float to other primary care settings; including primary care clinics, women's health, employee health, and other areas as assigned. Not assigned to a permanent PACT Team. The LPN Clinical Associate carries out the most complex practical nursing care assignments, under the general review of a Registered Nurse (RN) in the outpatient clinic Bargaining Unit Position 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, the following qualification criteria must be met. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-3 - None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 - (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or(b) 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(c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5 - (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.(b) 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.(c) 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.(d) 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.(e) 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.(f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. (g) 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 - (a) 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.(b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.(c) 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.(d) 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.(e) 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.(f) 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.(g) 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.(h) 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. Preferred Experience: Previous experience working in Vaccination Clinic / Primary Care Reference: VA Regs, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qual Standard. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity and requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The LPN may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The LPN may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The LPN must be capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. ["The VA has been named as one of the Top 5 Best Places to Work in the federal government. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Cincinnati is a family friendly, affordable, metropolitan city with great parks, fine arts, and food scene. With both an urban energy and southern charm, the Cincinnati region has a vibrant and unique culture that flows from the Ohio River to the things to do, landmarks and events all around town. With rich cultural offerings, award-winning family adventures, an ever-expanding art scene, a foodie's paradise, and breweries galore, this is one picturesque river region with much to explore! With major league sports, big-city arts, fun festivals, and award-winning attractions, it can be hard to decide what to do in our dynamic river region! https://www.frommers.com/destinations/cincinnati Licensed Practical Nurse - Clinical Associate 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 LPN uses a systematic problem-solving process in the care of multiple patients with predictable health care needs to provide individualized, goal-directed nursing care. The LPN may contribute to the plan of care by collaborating with interdisciplinary team members, the patient and the patient's family. The LPN collects data and information, recognizes changes in conditions and reports this to the RN supervisor or another appropriate clinical supervisor to assist in the identification of problems and formulation of goals, outcomes, and patient-centered plans of care that are developed in collaboration with patients, their families, and the interdisciplinary health care team. The LPN participates in the nursing process by appraising the individual patients status or situation at hand. The LPN can participate in implementing established teaching plans for patients and their families with common health problems and well-defined health learning needs and suggest any modifications to the plan of care that may be necessary. The PACT LPN Clinical Associate facilitates continuity of care by making the appropriate referrals. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Demonstrates knowledge of practical nursing care exercising judgment in planning and intervention, requiring supervision to provide a practical knowledge of human body structure, sterile techniques, and procedures. Cares for Veterans in accordance with established nursing procedures, standards of care, and plan of care. Completes work under the close supervision of an RN or Provider. May require routine or detailed higher-level review depending on the complexity of Veteran care. Managing clinic workflow. Ensuring patients are placed in examination rooms in a timely manner and providing direction to patients as they move through the clinic environment. Assist in panel access through scrubbing weekly reviewing scheduled appointments. Demonstrates technical competence to prepare, administer, and appropriately document Veteran education of medications, and nursing actions taken for commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures. Demonstrates technical competence in phlebotomy and Point of Care Testing (POCT) where offered. Seeks guidance from appropriate resources to interpret unclear or unfamiliar drugs or dosages. Demonstrates the ability to recognize the Veteran's response to medication administered and/or contraindications to medications, reporting any noted change in Veteran's condition to RN or Provider. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to recognize urgent and emergent patient care situations and seeks assistance of the RN and/or Provider. Adheres to Infection Control-Universal Precautions. Maintains a safe, clean, clutter-free environment for Veterans, visitors, and coworkers. Recognizes and documents changes in Veteran's condition, reporting changes to the RN and/or Provider, initiating action with direction. Complies with and adheres to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for reprocessing/cleaning Reusable Medical Equipment (RME). RME cleaning will be done in accordance with the schedule within the area. Responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Available for adhoc or emergent situations. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91230-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
