The Cardiology Specialty Clinic Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) provides high-quality, evidence-based care for Veteran patients who are seen in the different Cardiology Specialty Clinics who commonly require cardiac evaluation and monitoring. The LVN effectively implements patient activities towards health promotion and disease prevention, assisting the Veteran in attainment of optimal levels of function through direct care and non-face-to-face communication. 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. Must be a graduate of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Must have a full, current, active and unrestricted license as a graduate licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or District of Columbia. Grade Determinations: GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g. medication administration); however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved. GS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below:? Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.? 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 NAs/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. 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.? 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.? 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: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for theGS-5 LPN/LVN:? 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. 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.? 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. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers? 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.? Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice Preferred Experience: 2 years LVN experience Outpatient/Cardiology Clinic/Emergency Room Basic Arrhythmia knowledge EKG certificate IV certificate BLS References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13 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: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs); Pushing; Straight pulling; Pulling hand over hand; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 6 hours); Standing (up to 6 hours); Kneeling (Intermittent);Repeated bending (up to 6 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 an to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional and Mental Stability.**If 10 hours shifts hours of moving, bending, standing, walking will be 10 hours. ["The Cardiology Specialty Clinic LVN works in a variety of clinic areas within the Cardiology Specialty Clinics including: Cardiology Specialty Clinic, Heart Failure Clinic, Arrhythmia/Electrophysiology Clinic, Cardiology Research Clinic, Cardiology RN Clinic, Pharmacist Clinic. The Cardiology Specialty Clinic LVN functions as an integral member of the Interdisciplinary Cardiology Team to provide care for patients with complex, stable and unstable cardiac problems. The LVN utilizes current nursing standards, guidelines, and treatment modalities. The LVN's care is not limited to cardiac-related issues, but also encompasses medical/surgical problems, both acute and chronic. The LVN's roles include, but are not limited to: prioritize, check-in, triage, acquire patient vital signs within timeline parameters print medication lists and perform medication reconciliations initial and ongoing physical and psychosocial assessments synthesis of data from various assessments, monitoring devices, laboratory and imaging reports, use of the electronic health record Computerized Patient Recording System (CPRS). document in a timely, accurate and concise manner ability to accurately perform EKGs and Accu-Checks problem identification, able to recognize patients in distress needing immediate intervention. care planning patient advocacy and privacy/confidentiality collaboration with others excellent infection control practice patient education airway management skills learned in BLS participate in/activates Rapid Response Team (RRT) or Medical Response Team calls and resuscitation procedures in the event of cardiac arrest and /or pulmonary arrest or for medical necessity perform daily required duties and quality controls including but not limited to: medication refrigerator temperature checks EKG machine checks (including restocking of EKG paper) crash cart and defibrillator checks automated external defibrillator (AED) checks clean and dirty utility room checks clean and re-stock exam and procedure rooms in between, after patient usage and at the end of each Tour of Duty stock all supplies recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action check for expired supplies and medications prepare, administer, monitor, and document medications with alertness to actions, side effects, adverse reactions and contraindication following Medical Center and Nursing Service policies/procedures and within LVN scope of practice: perform additional clinic duties as needed including but not limited to: order lab tests appropriate for the LVN scope of practice following policy/SOP answer view alerts/secure messages within 24-48 hours perform reminders as appropriate (Audit-C, Depression, FLU, FIT, PTSD, etc.) perform/participate in daily huddles with clinic team promote non-face to face visit support (MyHealtheVet [MHV], telephone access, home testing instructions) perform pre-appointment phone calls able to express best practices, including environment of care practices that impact the quality of life for the Veteran on Anticoagulation Therapy communicate with patients, families, physicians, co-workers, and other hospital staff in an effective, courteous and respectful manner Work Schedule: 0800-1630 Monday-Friday. No weekends or holidays. 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.
