Licensed Practical Nurse - Primary Care

Overview

The Licensed Practical Nurse - Primary Care position provides care and counseling of patients and promotes maintenance of healthy living in the prevention of illness, injury, and chronic disease by using the nursing process including systematic data collection, patient monitoring, nursing judgement, and evaluation of human response to actual or potential health problems. The LPN executes medical regimens including administering medication and treatments prescribed by providers.

• Provide nursing care of the patient with multiple geriatric, psychiatric, and/or medical problems.
• Perform a variety of nursing care activities, which include vital signs, pain screening, clinical reminders, blood draws (as applicable), brace/splint application, ear irrigation, culture specimen collection, dressing changes, suture/staple removal, and EKG.
• Contribute to the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care which expedites the patients return to, or maintenance of, optimal functioning by providing continuity of care of each patients individual needs.
• Observe, report, and record current observations such as patients physical condition, emotional response, skin condition, variations in vital signs, personal habits of patient, and listen for clues to patients reaction to illness and treatment; document in approved format.
• Recognize the need for and institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest.
• Interpret the appropriate information to identify each patients age-specific needs and provide the identified care.
• Respond to concerns of patients and visitors in a manner that is effective and improves customer satisfaction.
• Check equipment, supplies, and containers to ensure products are not outdated and are stocked appropriately according to unit procedure.
• Prepare and administer prescribed medications and perform treatments according to established policies and procedures.
• Participate in patient/family teaching programs related to health promotion and reinforces instructions provided by the Registered Nurse and provider.
• Manage a group of patients for diagnostic testing results, return appointment notification, and follow-up telephone calls as necessary.
• Use knowledge of pharmacology to recognize problems with outpatient medication administration as prescribed by the Primary Care Provider.
• Initiate consultations for patients on behalf of the primary care provider, who retains responsibility for patient care.
• Work schedule:
  
  Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm with occasional extended evening clinic hours.
• Recruitment incentive/relocation incentive authorized for eligible, highly qualified applicants; a service agreement is required for all recruitment/relocation incentives.

• Basic requirements:
  United States Citizenship (non-citizens may be appointed when recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible per VA Policy);
  English language proficiency; active, full, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate LPN/LVN in a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth or the District of Columbia.
• Education:
  
  See Education Section of the announcement for details.
• Completion of 6 months of qualifying experience as an LPN/LVN or graduation from an approved school with appropriate experience, or graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration for GS-04; progression to GS-05 and GS-06 requires additional experience and demonstrated competence as described in the qualification standards. GS-03 to GS-06 grades require progressively responsible nursing duties with supervision by RN/MD/DO as applicable.
• For the higher GS levels, duties include: guiding and training less experienced staff, patient and family education, administering a full range of medications, recognizing emergencies, coordinating care with RN/MD/DO, and maintaining knowledge of customer service standards in interactions with patients and staff.
• Compliance with facility policies for medication administration (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous) and documentation of patient responses.
• Ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek RN/MD/DO assistance, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Ability to observe, identify, and respond to patient needs for care including emotional and educational support; sensitivity to emotional, socio-economic, and age-related factors; and fostering respectful patient rights and privacy.
• Experience with diagnostic tests support, precepting, and ongoing education for nursing staff; commitment to professional development and knowledge sharing.
• Knowledge and skills in preparing and assisting with complex procedures and tests, and monitoring patient condition before, during, and after procedures.

• Major duties include: providing nursing care for patients with multi-faceted medical and psychiatric conditions; performing routine and specialized nursing…