Licensed Practical Nurse - PACT

Veterans Health Administration • Albany, NY

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the Primary Care Clinic’s Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) provides recurring care to complex patients as a responsible member of the Nursing Service. The role involves specialized activities requiring broad work experience and skill to resolve a range of problems. The LPN works with registered nurses, providers, and interdisciplinary teams to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care and follow-up. The position is full-time, with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual. The full performance level is GS-06; selection may be at GS-03 through GS-06. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and approval. Eligible awards may be up to $200,000 for a period of one to five years.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated VA exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Graduate from an approved practical or vocational nursing school, or meet an applicable education exception described in the announcement.
• Hold active, full, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical Nurse or Vocational Nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated grandfathering provision for qualifying current VHA employees.
• Meet the applicable grade-level qualification requirements for the grade selected, which range from GS-03 through GS-06 and include specified experience, education, and demonstrated nursing competencies at higher grades.
• For GS-04 qualification through experience, have six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience, or meet one of the stated education and healthcare experience alternatives.
• For GS-05, meet the stated qualifying experience requirement and demonstrate practical nursing care, patient and family education, teamwork, medication administration and documentation, emergency response, and equipment and safety awareness competencies.
• For GS-06, meet the stated additional qualifying experience requirement and demonstrate the listed competencies in patient care, clinical judgment, medication and treatment administration, emergency response, patient and family relationships, complex diagnostic support, and precepting and continued learning.
• Meet VA pre-employment requirements, including applicable drug screening, background/security investigation, physical evaluation, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period if appointed, subject to the terms described in the announcement.
• Submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment if seeking EDRP benefits; eligibility and award are subject to program review and approval.

Nice To Haves

• One year of primary care experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Interview patients from varied populations and assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care.
• Collaborate with the RN or provider to develop and implement individualized care plans.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary development, implementation, and evaluation of treatment and follow-up care.
• Coordinate with other services regarding patient condition changes, laboratory results, treatment responses, and other care parameters.
• Support complex diagnostic tests and specialized procedures by preparing patients, assisting with examinations, handling instruments or equipment, and monitoring patients before, during, and after procedures.
• Provide direct physical care and psychosocial support, including nursing management of unstable patients with unpredictable care needs.
• Make appropriate judgments before preparing and administering prescribed medications, recognize side effects and contraindications, document changes, and report deviations from normal to an RN or physician.
• Instruct patients and significant others about common medications.
• Prepare patients and specimens, provide patient education, assist with diagnostic examinations, and prepare and pass instruments for diagnostic procedures.
• Recognize emergency situations, respond promptly, and initiate appropriate actions.
• Support patients and family members or significant others in following the care plan and achieving discharge objectives.
• Protect patient and family privacy and dignity, and uphold customer-service standards in interactions with patients, families, and other customers.
• Precept, orient, educate, and train less experienced LPNs/LVNs or nursing assistants/health technicians, and pursue and share educational opportunities to advance nursing practice.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 for one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed