Career Center

The Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse is for Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) within the Community Based Outpatient Center (CBOC) located in Corpus Christi. They are an integral part of an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers. 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. 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 may include: 1) 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; 2) VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, or under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. 3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. 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. Preferred Experience: Ability to multi task Inpatient clinical experience Outpatient clinical experience Computer and typing skills 45-50 words per minute, familiar with word, excel, and outlook computer software Grade Determinations: GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN/LVN; or (b) 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 (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. (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. GS-6: (a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent. (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. (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) 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. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers. (i) 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. (j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. References: VA Handbook 5005-3 Part II, Appendix G13, April 10, 2003 The full performance level of this vacancy is 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: Moderate lifting & carrying (45 pounds & over), straight pulling (0.5 hours), pushing (0.5 hours), reaching above shoulder, walking (5.3 hours), standing (5.3 hours), repeated bending (5.3 hours); ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted). ["- Makes observations & thoroughly documents care & the patient's response.\n- Appropriately seeks assistance & guidance by informing RN or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention.\n- Performs, reports, & records assigned nursing care in Primary Care Clinics, including, but not limited to: Data collection & documentation of all interventions completed during patient visit. Sending assessment data collected to the RN for review and action. Administers and documents immunizations per protocol/VATVCBHCS policies. Clinical reminder completion. Documents transfers in CPRS and warm handoff reports given to receiving facility. Closes encounters. Completes pre-appointment telephone calls for scheduled patients. Review and assist Team to address/complete pending alerts communicated on message manager throughout the day to assist the team to facilitate care and address needs of the caller. As assigned, assures twice daily documentation of temperature for medication refrigerator. As assigned, daily check of clinic AED and other required daily monitoring logs. Check expiration dates of meds and supplies. Delegated procedures and treatments (i.e. EKG, dressing change). Assists with minor procedures, ensuring patient comfort and privacy. Based on the patient's goals, provides and/or reinforces patient and family health education. Provides back up to PACT clinical support as need, if applicable. - Is a role model in the provision of excellent customer service.\n- Provides patients with personalized, proactive, & patient-driven health care.\n- Delivers patient centered care to all patients & employs population health management principles to optimize health & wellbeing for the patient.\n- Engages in a collaborative practice with team members supporting continuous improvement of processes & prevention services.\n- Completes mandatory training & reviews.\n- Maintains a good rapport with patients & staff in order to handle a variety of requests on a daily basis.\n- Handle patient concerns & resolve patient issues in a professional manner.\n- Assists in gathering information from outside providers & health care facilities & relays that information to appropriate staff\n- Answers telephone in a courteous & assistive manner, obtains necessary information, communicates messages and/or refers to the appropriate team member for disposition.\n- Measures & records vital signs & enters them in CPRS.\n- Observes physical and/or behavioral changes in the patient condition & communicates these observations in the appropriate format.\n- Provides and documents instruction to patients on specimen collection and test preparation & initiates basic health teaching and/or reinforces patient education under the guidance of the RN.\n- Demonstrates flexibility & adapts to work demands or adjustment of assignment\n- Performs other tasks as requested by providers or supervising nursing personnel within the scope of training & abilities.\n- Monitors & restocks exam room medical/clerical supplies. Reports equipment malfunction.\n- Reviews Message Manager and assist Team to address/complete pending alerts communicated throughout tour of duty to facilitate care & address needs of the caller within 48 hours.\n- Provides Care Management to patients with Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSCs)\n- Cleans, handles and stores equipment per RME policy after each use.\n- Performs nail trimmings for clinic patients, following procedure guidelines & reports any variation from normal to appropriate provider & other clinical staff, if applicable to clinic setting.\n- Takes appropriate action in emergency situations.\n- Performs ear canal aspirations following procedure guidelines & reports variations to provider & other clinical staff, after verification of provider's exam & CPRS order.\n- Performs phlebotomy for patients requiring laboratory test.\n- Independently collects a wide range of specimens including blood, urine, and throat cultures.\n-Processes specimens as outlined by laboratory guidelines prior to transport.\n-Identifies specimens collected according to policy & national patient safety goals.\n-Will cultivate an environment of professionalism, excellence and conflict resolution at the team level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]