| The Lead Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) serves as a member of the health care team on the Ambulatory Care (PACT) Team by demonstrating an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for self-direction in carrying out leadership for the day-to-day operations The Lead LPN exercises independent technical judgement and possesses a comprehensive working knowledge of the most specialized practices and procedures within the clinic. The Lead Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) serves on the Ambulatory Care (PACT) Team and duties include but are not limited to the following: Expected to act independently and observe and report clinical operational issues and take appropriate corrective actions as needed. The incumbent identifies process or efficiency issues and communicates findings to leadership.. Manages patient care problems and deviations using self direction in accordance with VA Nursing Practice and LPN licensure standards . Maintains knowledge and skill to care for a wide range of patients, including those with chronic and acute illness. Demonstrates knowledge, skill, and ability to promptly recognize and effectively intervene in potentially urgent or emergent situations. Assesses, records, and reports vital signs, neurological signs, weight, and blood glucose levels. Appropriately triages and prioritizes patient needs as routine, urgent, or emergent in the clinic setting and modifies patient care/treatment as needed. Checks patients into the clinic, interviews patient and/or significant other, and documents intake data as per policy. Possesses comprehensive knowledge of VA protocols and VHA directives related to clinic management, documentation, and computer technology. Serves as a resource for complex/specialized procedures (i.e. non-complex suture/staple removal, non-complex wound care, blood draws, and clinic specific procedures, such as ear irrigation). Performs venipuncture for blood draws, prepares specimens for transport and processing (centrifuge and serum separation), transcribes orders, accessions label, provides patient education about lab tests and procedures. Demonstrates knowledge of standard precautions, medical asepsis, and sterile technique with the ability to correctly apply these principles and techniques and assist others with implementation in the clinic setting. Assists with diagnostic procedures that include preparing the patient, setting up sterile field and instrumentation, and monitoring the patient's condition. Demonstrates the knowledge and skill to interpret common test results and other medical data. Provides education to patients/families about preparation for procedures and/or diagnostic tests. Initiates consults per PACT/Expanded Scope of Practice, such as Home Tele-Health, audiology, optometry/ophthalmology, prosthetics, patient education, Home Based Primary Care. Orders supplies per scope. Collaborates with PACT team to identify and proactively manage high-risk patients through frequent telephone contacts and/or face-toface visits. Assists in coordination of care during and after the transition of a patient from inpatient to outpatient and vice versa. Responsible for working with PACT RN to ensure patients are contacted within 48 hours following hospital discharge and following clinic "sick" visits. Collaborates with PACT-assigned Home Tele-Health personnel to address patient care needs in a timely manner and to transition care from Home Tele-Health back to the PACT team. Takes an active role in health promotion and disease prevention to improve patient outcomes. Provides one-on-one or group teaching as appropriate. Demonstrates knowledge and skill to incorporate patient education into care and modifies as necessary to meet needs of the patient using TEACH for Success and other health coaching strategies. Teaches patients and families principles of health, self-care, and treatments related to wellness and health promotion. Communicates calmly, courteously, and professionally with all patients, personnel, and visitors while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations and Medical Center policies. Uses advanced skills to communicate with verbally or physically abusive patients or visitors using Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) principles and policy guidelines. Collaborates with the PACT team and other interdisciplinary services in the development, implementation, and evaluation of patient care. Assists other staff to improve and advance their practical nursing practice as appropriate. Demonstrates knowledge of medical equipment and supplies .with advanced skill to set up and/or operate specialized equipment. Performs Clinical pertinence reviews to ensure compliance with nursing practice standards related to nursing clinical reminders. Uses self-direction is assessment of scheduled and walk-in patients and identifies potential clinical problems or deviations from normal. Enters orders in a timely and accurate manner within Expanded Scope of Practice and VA policy. Collaborates with clinic mental health providers to ensure access to mental health care per Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) guidelines. Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm, 5 days per week Financial Disclosure Report: Not required |
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