Practical Nurse

at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Summary This Licensed Practical Nurse position is located at the Lakeside CBOC, 211 East Ontario Chicago, IL 60611. The LPN is responsible for active communication and collaboration with the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) which includes the patient, primary care provider, RN case manager and patient support assistant. Responsibilities Major Duties Include: Assist with intake of Veterans in preparation for provider visits. Assist providers with exams/procedures. Perform treatments and procedures such as electrocardiograms, vital signs, blood glucose readings, bladder scans, ear flushes, and ankle brachial indexes. Tracking and administering of required immunizations. Administering ordered medications. Providing ordered wound care. Completion of pertinent clinical reminders. Assist in message management with PACT team using the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 12 Message Manager System. Participate in the management of telephone messages related to the teams. Participation and coordination of group visits. Identification of additional services needed by Veterans and their families. Participation in daily huddles and team meetings. Provide guidance to Veterans who are new to the clinic services. Assist with Veteran and family education. Provide unit-based support through equipment and supply monitoring within the work area. Work with team members to obtain medical records from non-VA facilities. Provide back-up support to lab services at the Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCs). Provide other support as needed for the PACT team within the scope of practice for an LPN. Assist with Monthly Audits (Chart, Duress, Out of date supplies, etc.) Participate in patient centered conferences/shift reports and contribute information for the development and modification of the delivery of nursing care and planning disposition needs. Perform and/or assist in all aspects of nursing care to meet patients needs. Recognize emergent situations and initate appropriate actions. Care for equipment and maintain supplies used in the unit. Provide a full range of practical nursing care as appropriate to area of assignment. Administer selected medication, identifying the need for PRN medication, recognize and report effects of medication. Identify and set up correct equipment for such as cardiac monitoring, intermittent and continuous suctioning, endotracheal intubation, lacerations, I&Ds, joint aspiration, lumbar puncture, chest tube insertion, preparation for radiological or operative procedure, including collection and labeling of specimens and sending them to the lab. Assist in transporting and monitoring condition of acutely ill patients to and from the x-ray department, the intensive care units, the operating room, etc. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday Day Shift 1st tour is 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Day shift 2nd tour is 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Education: Must be a 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. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Licensure: Must possess a 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. (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIIRED) Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. Your qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-3 Level: 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 Level: Must have completed six (6) 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. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. GS-5 Level: Must have completed at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent that includes: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicate