Practical Nurse (PACT- Patient Aligned Care Team)

Summary

The PACT LPN functions under the supervision of an RN - LIP - or MD on all tours of duty. This LPN is accountable to the designated Nurse Manager for the provision of technical nursing care. He/she is responsible for individual nursing actions and competence within the scope of his/her license - the guidelines of this functional description - the general rules of conduct per the Employee Handbook - and the policies - procedures - and guidelines of this PCS and Montana VA Health Care System.

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: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)] at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• 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
• English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] spoken and written English
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements - 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 basic requirements
• GS-04: Six 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
• OR - Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-05: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• 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 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
• 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
• 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
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated - promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
• Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO
• Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures
• However - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review
• GS-06: Completion of at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent - fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN
• Technically proficient 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
• to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments
• and to accurately recognize - report and record relevant patient information
• 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 recognizes and considers emotional - cultural - spiritual - 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 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005/3 - Part II - Appendix G13 VA Qualification Standards The full performance level of this vacancy is GS06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS03 to GS06
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• Requires potential long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• 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
• May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders - must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Duties

• ***This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 26 - 2025
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 7/11/2025
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis OR until positions are filled
• *** PACT LPN: provides full range of practical nursing care for primary care
• provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to medication - and/or prescribed treatment regimes
• interacts with patients - family members - professional and other supportive personnel involved in delivery of patient care
• prepares - administers - and appropriately documents actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular - and intravenous medications as permitted by approved local policy
• documents all observations - treatments - and nursing care provided in the computer record
• recognizes the need for and to institute emergency measures
• Assists in de-escalation of patients as needed
• recognizes and responds to breakage/malfunction of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies
• assists in maintaining a safe and therapeutic patient environment
• PACT GS-3 LPN: practices and performs all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level
• carrying out the nursing process under close supervision at the direction of and guidance of the RN - Licensed Independent Practitioner - or MD
• Individuals at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license and policies Montana VA HCS
• However - completed work may require general review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved
• PACT GS-4 LPN: practices and performs all duties expected of employees at the GS-4 grade level
• carrying out the nursing process under the supervision at the direction of and guidance of the RN - Licensed Independent Practitioner - or MD
• Individuals at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license and policies Montana VA HCS
• However - completed work may require general review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved
• PACT GS 5 LPN: practices and performs all duties expected of employees at the GS-4 grade level
• however they are expected to exercise greater judgment - require less supervision - and to operate in accordance with all established policies - procedures - and techniques consistently at a proficient level - carrying out the nursing process under close supervision at the direction of and guidance of the RN or MD
• Individuals at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license and policies Montana VAHCS
• Completed work may require general review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved
• PACT GS-6 LPN: practices consistently at an expert level of responsibility and appropriate independence
• All completed work should need only a general review by an RN or MD for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures
• The PACT LPN is responsible for observing - recording - changes in patient's condition as well as assisting in the development and revision of the patient driven holistic plan of care
• The PACT LPN demonstrates active collaboration and communication with the Teamlet (Patient - PCP RN Care Manager - Medical Support Assistant) - and the larger team (family/caregiver - internal and community-based services - ancillary services - and other disciplines involved in providing care to the patient
• Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center Government funded travel throughout the State of Montana may be required up to 50% of the time for this position due to operational needs at other CBOCs
• all required training for travel will be completed during unit orientation
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Paid Time Off: (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:52837 - 52838 - 52839 - 52840-A