Licensed Practical Nurse; Ambulatory Care

Licensed Practical Nurse

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provides Oxygen Therapy (based on PACT protocols); administers medication: oral, intramuscular, and subcutaneous.
• Collects vital sign data, height, and weight. Prepares the Veteran for the PCP appointment.
• Addresses clinical reminders with appropriate consults and alerts as indicated.
• Checks expiration dates of medicines and supplies.
• Assists with minor procedures, including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment, positioning the Veteran, and ensuring comfort and privacy.
• Monitors the Veteran during procedures and ear irrigations.
• Collects lab specimens (i.e., nasal swabs, throat swabs, and blood collection).
• Responds to and documents view alerts promptly within 24 hours and within their scope of practice, including collecting data, documenting all required pertinent data, and seeking a higher level of care if necessary.
• Tracks and completes the Veterans' Fecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT) with a goal of greater than 90% compliance for their prospective Veteran panels. Completes all clinical reminders during each Veteran encounter.
• Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication.
• Performs complex practical nursing measures with precision and efficiency, consistent with Medical Center policy and procedure within the legal and ethical responsibilities of their licensure as an LPN.
• Performs nonstandard and specialized practical nursing activities requiring broad work experience and demonstrated skill to resolve a range of nursing problems.
• Recognizes urgent or emergent Veteran situations, seeks assistance, and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate.
• Provides Veteran and family health education, to include self-management, prevention, and wellness.
• Assists in the orientation and competency validation of students, peers, and clerical staff.
• Maintains confidentiality of electronic, written, and/or verbal Veteran information.
• Coordinates communications during the in-Veteran-to-out-Veteran discharge interface.
• Communicates with VA and non-VA medical offices/facilities to coordinate care.
• Completes PACT post-discharge calls for their prospective teams if the RN is not available.
• Provides safe and individualized nursing care to Veterans with changing complex physiological and/or emotional needs.
• Performs documentation to standards established by the VHA, VISN, and facility leadership to help in meeting benchmarks for performance indicators to include, but not limited to:
• Completes the Veteran intake documentation upon check-in to the clinic.
• Completes immunization notes used for all vaccinations.
• Assesses and documents the Veteran's pain, including documentation on the CPRS cover page (i.e., Vital Signs) and within the intake assessment note.