Summary

The Nurse-Ambulatory Care is accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. The outpatient population is managed via Primary Care (Patient Aligned Care Teams). The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below.

Qualifications

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
• Education or Training
• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State Agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• OR Received health care education/training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualified for full LPN/LVN licensure
• 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
• [NOTE: YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR LICENSE NUMBER OR SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR CURRENT LICENSURE WITH THE APPLICATION PACKAGE]
• English Language Proficiency
• Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• GS-6 Completion of] at least [one (1)] year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent - fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN
• 1
• Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• 2
• 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
• 3
• 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 - socio-economic - and age-related] factors
• 4
• 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
• 5
• 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
• 6
• 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
• 7
• 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
• 8
• 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
• 9
• 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
• 10
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• 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.References: VA Handbook 5005/3 - Part II - Appendix G13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualifications Standard - http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf

Duties

• Providing competent - evidence-based specialty care to assigned patients in the ambulatory care clinic
• Offering oversight and guidance to licensed practical nurses - health technicians - and medical instrument technicians within the clinic environment
• Delivering direct patient care - including care coordination - health promotion - and education on wellness - disease prevention - and chronic care management specific to chronic care conditions
• Assisting in the direction of nursing education - orientation - and competency evaluations for staff
• -Contributing to quality improvement initiatives and tracking outcomes utilization in the ambulatory care setting
• Demonstrating leadership in delivering and enhancing holistic specialty care through collaboration with interdisciplinary teams
• Evaluating clinical practices on an ongoing basis - drawing from best evidence to inform care decisions
• Providing informal constructive feedback to peers to foster professional growth and improve care delivery
• Creating a safe and supportive environment that promotes the professional development of healthcare team members
• Contributing a professional nursing perspective in interdisciplinary team discussions related to patient care plans
• Partnering with colleagues to drive change and achieve optimal patient outcomes in ambulatory care services
• Supporting team members by sharing knowledge to ensure safe - high-quality ambulatory nursing care
• Disseminating educational findings - experiences - and innovative ideas with peers to advance practice
• Questioning existing clinical practices to promote evidence-based care in the outpatient setting
• Participating in activities and strategies aimed at sustaining a culture of evidence-based practice within the clinic
• Performing additional duties as assigned - which may include patient intake - documentation - point-of-care testing - medication reconciliation - and coordinating patient readiness for procedures
• PREFERRED EXPERIENCE IS LISTED BELOW
• 2 to 3 Years of Pact Experience VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: TBD By Supervisor Location: NW Primary Care Clinic - 3968 North Rancho Dr - Las Vegas NV 89130 Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement: 593-08696-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure: Not required