Advanced Licensed Practical Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • Green Bay, WI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) GS-07 delivers comprehensive, proactive nursing care to advance quality health outcomes, provide patient- and family-centered service, and support care for Veterans. The role involves specialized patient care, including assignments in complex care settings, performed under general or very general supervision. Employees are expected to exercise independent technical judgment and apply comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills. They may serve as leaders or co-leaders for a nursing unit or a designated patient group.

The LPN/LVN contributes current patient-care information to patients’ overall plans, carries out assigned nursing interventions, and assists the RN and/or provider in prioritizing care and adjusting care plans. The position requires recognizing subtle physical and emotional changes, documenting care and patient responses, seeking higher-level guidance when needed, and responding appropriately to urgent or emergent situations. The nurse administers prescribed medications and treatments according to established procedures, recognizes potential drug reactions, and supports healthy-lifestyle education and patient and family participation in care.

The role also includes mentoring and serving as a resource to nursing staff on complex or specialized procedures, supporting the RN or provider in monitoring unlicensed nursing and non-medical staff, and reporting deviations from normal practice. The position is permanent, is not virtual, and does not offer telework. The schedule is a variable-start day shift, Monday through Friday. A recruitment or relocation incentive has been approved for a highly qualified applicant; relocation assistance is not otherwise specified.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Graduation from a practical or vocational nursing program approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by NLNAC when the program was completed; qualifying military education or training accepted by the licensing body may meet this requirement.
• Full, active, current, and unrestricted LPN or LVN licensure in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a copy of the license is required.
• At least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, meeting GS-6 LPN performance requirements.
• Ability to prioritize patient-care needs with the RN and/or provider and adjust care-delivery plans.
• Ability to recognize subtle changes in patients’ physical and emotional conditions, document care and responses accurately, and report changes requiring higher-level intervention.
• Ability to assist with, accurately administer, and document prescribed medications and treatments, and recognize and respond to potential drug reactions.
• Knowledge and skill to recognize urgent or emergent patient-care situations, seek assistance, and intervene as directed.
• Ability to communicate with and influence patients and families who may be unusually difficult to care for or communicate with.
• Practical nursing knowledge and specialized-procedure skills sufficient to serve as a resource and mentor to other staff.
• Ability to monitor the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff and promptly report deviations from normal practice.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and required background/security investigation; selected applicants are subject to the stated drug-screening and onboarding requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required.
• Must complete all application requirements and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Nice To Haves

• A highly qualified applicant may be eligible for an approved recruitment or relocation incentive.
• Prior federal or military service may be considered for annual-leave accrual credit, subject to request and approval.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized practical nursing care, including in complex care settings.
• Contribute current patient-care data to the development of patients’ overall plans and carry out assigned nursing interventions.
• Assist the RN and/or provider in prioritizing patient-care needs and adjusting care-delivery plans.
• Observe subtle physical and emotional changes in patients, document care and responses thoroughly, and promptly report changes requiring higher-level intervention.
• Assist with prescribed medications and treatments, administer them according to established policies and procedures, and record administration and patient responses.
• Recognize potential or actual drug reactions and initiate appropriate prescribed interventions while promptly informing the RN or provider.
• Recognize urgent or emergent care situations, seek assistance, and intervene as directed to support safe and therapeutic care.
• Help patients and families take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles and positive outcomes.
• Communicate effectively with patients and families who may be difficult to care for or communicate with, including those exhibiting resistant or abusive behavior or difficulty understanding instructions.
• Contribute to improvements in care delivery and patient or family satisfaction through participation in committees, task forces, research projects, or development of educational materials.
• Promote and incorporate established customer-service standards into practice.
• Serve as a resource, role model, and mentor for nursing staff regarding complex procedures, specialized care, and technology.
• Support the RN or provider in monitoring non-licensed nursing and non-medical staff, and report deviations from normal practice.
• Seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and help other staff advance their practice.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family, with eligibility dependent on position type.
• Annual leave accrual, with possible credit for prior federal or military service subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed