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This position acts as the Surgery Clinic LPN Associate Case Manager within the Outpatient Surgery Clinic ICC performing complex, specialized patient care and facilitating daily operational flow and care coordination under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. This position acts as the Surgery Clinic LPN Associate Case Manager within the Outpatient Surgery Clinic ICC and is part of a specialized team optimizing Vascular care at the VA. 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: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission). See "Education" section for additional requirements and exceptions. 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. Physical Standards: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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). Grade Determinations: The GS-7 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions, as established by each health care facility. To qualify for the GS-7 level, a candidate must have at least three (3) years of experience as an LPN/LVN maintaining acceptable standards within a health care setting under the direction of a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO). This experience must include completion of at least one (1) year of experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. In addition, candidates must demonstrate the following GS-7 level Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans. Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations. Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels. Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate. Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision. Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice. Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas. Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff. Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. Note: All qualifying experience and KSAs required must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you submit a supplemental document with narrative responses detailing your experience that fully demonstrates each KSA required for the GS-7 level assignment. Preferred Experience: Outpatient clinic experience is preferred, but not required. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13. ["Specialty Care Integrated Clinical Communities (ICC) are a common, Veteran-centered operational clinical structure intended to drive a consistent Veteran experience and enable information to flow more rapidly across VHA. The primary purpose of the LPN Associate Case Manager is to provide a full range of services and nursing care to patients who present for or request assistance with a variety of specialty care related diagnoses and to assist the RN with case management of patients within a specified surgical specialty. This is a complex LPN position requiring consistent exercise of independent technical judgement without the need for readily available supervision and requires comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Carry out specialized patient care duties including assignments in selected, more complex outpatient care settings. Assist RN or Provider to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Make astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, accurately and thoroughly documenting care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Participate in prioritizing and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. Address patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to policies and procedures. Use broad knowledge of patient treatment process and exercise judgement to effectively intervene in urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeking assistance of the RN or Provider for appropriate team intervention. Assist individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Actively participate in committees/task forces, research projects, or in developing educational materials/media. Serve as leader or co-leader in the unit for a specifically identified group of patients. Serve as role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas. Support the RN or Provider in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing of non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week during regular clinical hours. Telework: Not Available. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP): This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $10,000 annually, up to $60,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles."]

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