Summary The License Vocational Nurse will be responsible for providing care within the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) at the Community Based Outpatient Clinic for North County San Diego for the following location: Sorrento Valley, CA Responsibilities LVN/LPN duties. This position requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as this is a 1a complex healthcare system that encompasses a variety of Inpatient and Outpatient services to Veterans. Obtains/collects specimens as ordered. Provides direct patient care and support for the patient. Recognizes changes in patient's condition and deviations from baseline that require immediate intervention. Responds to emergent patient conditions in a safe and effective manner, i.e., effectively recognizes life- threatening situations and takes immediate action. Executes interventions in accordance with treatment plans. Completes Electronic Health Record (EHR) documentation and signs all patient related activity while following documentation timelines and protocols (i.e., within tour of duty, closing encounters per policy). Documentation is factual, objective, accurate, consistent, timely, and complete in electronic medical record. Maintains confidentiality of patient information. Provides timely patient follow-up. Administers medications and treatments to patients with complex nursing problems. Assists with coordinating care of patient. Implements nursing interventions/orders in a timely and complete manner. Provide patient education related to managing risk factors, medications, procedures, and other medical regimens related to disease process/specialty clinic, within scope of practice. Adheres to ethical principles and standards in delivering care. Collaborates and communicates effectively with the Interdisciplinary Care Team regarding patient care. Demonstrate mandatory and clinical competencies of the position. Educates patients on provided discharge instructions related to their disease process, ensuring the patient can ask questions. Apply infection control measures appropriately in delivering care. Alerts providers (physicians/nurse practitioners) of abnormal signs and symptoms and/or abnormal test results to expedite care. Recognizes changes in patient's condition and deviations from baseline that require immediate intervention. Participates in coaching and mentoring of colleagues or new employees. Participates in daily DMS huddles and unit specific staff meetings. Provides in-services related to team building or specialty care as needed. Evaluates and documents patient response to interventions and progress towards attainment of goals and expected outcomes. Seeks opportunity for self-improvement. Participates in continuous performance improvements. Performs bedside Point of Care testing, such as: nasal swabs, pregnancy testing. Recognizes potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, actively provide BLS care, and able to rapidly call a "Rapid Response Treatment (RRT)" or "Code Blue" emergency. The LVN/LPN must be able to recognize changes in a patient's condition, such as shortness of breath, changes in skin condition (i.e., diaphoresis, flushness), tachycardia, or sudden loss of consciousness. Knowledge of external regulatory standards relevant to the scope and protocols of the position, such as the Joint Commission to meet accreditation standards and the mission and goals of VASDHS. Demonstrate ability to be self-directed in clinical practice and works to the maximum of licensure scope. Actively participates in interdisciplinary committees, task forces or other groups to improve organizational performance through collaboration with other health care providers across service lines for the betterment of the patient. Performs other duties, as assigned. Addition requirements for Patient Aligned Care Teams: LVN/LPN is responsible for providing direct patient care to and assisting with care coordination of Primary Care patients within Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACTs), supporting services and clinics throughout the VA San Diego Healthcare System. PACT clinics operate Monday through Saturday, with variable hours to support Veteran care needs Gather additional data (face to face, via phone or video conferencing) related to patient needs for treatment determination PACT. Participates in PACT performance measure activities such as, but not limited to, non-complex 2-day post-discharge calls, clinical reminder compliance, aspects of chronic disease management. Assists with coordinating care of patients, including patients consulted through Clinical Video Tele-Health visits. Assure patients have pre-appointment requirements completed prior to PCP appointment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0700-1730 Telework: Not Available Driving: Required Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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 include 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 will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN. Licensure - Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-03 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-04 (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or(b) Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) 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-05 Knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care. Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous medications. This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition. Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardia and/or pulmonary arrest. Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies. GS-06 Proficiency 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, using judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, and accurately recognizing, reporting, and recording relevant patient information Ability to observe, identify, and respond to a 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. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for, documents, and reports physical and/or emotional changes in the patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiating appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations and the 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, 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 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 includes preparing the patient and 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 Experiences: Minimum 1-2 year current Primary Care (PACT) experience; Clinical experience in caring for patients in Ambulatory Care; Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary team; and Ability to document using electronic medical record. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds); Moderate carrying (up to 44 pounds); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking, kneeling and standing up to 1.5 hours; repeated bending; both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
