Ambulatory Care Practical Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • Fallon, NV

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Ambulatory Care Practical Nurse provides practical nursing care in an outpatient setting under indirect supervision of a registered nurse. The nurse prepares, administers, documents, and communicates information about medications, vital signs, treatments, and changes in patients’ status. The position involves responding to emergencies, conducting pain evaluations, following infection-control precautions, and caring for patients in isolation. The full performance level is GS-06; applicants may be selected at grades GS-3 through GS-06.

The role is scheduled Monday through Friday. Ad-hoc telework may be available with supervisor approval; this is not a virtual position. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. The award may be up to $200,000 over a one-to-five-year eligibility period. Former EDRP participants are not eligible to apply. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change-of-station benefits are not authorized.

Employment requires U.S. citizenship, English proficiency, appropriate practical or vocational nursing education, and active, full, current, unrestricted LPN/LVN licensure. Applicants must meet the experience and competency criteria for the grade sought. Additional conditions include a background/security investigation, pre-employment physical evaluation and drug testing for testing-designated positions, seasonal influenza vaccination, annual employee health requirements, and a one- or two-year trial period. Physical demands include extended periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; transferring patients or objects may be required. The nurse may encounter infectious patients, contaminated materials, isolation precautions, and occasionally combative patients.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduate of an approved practical or vocational nursing program, or an applicable education exception described in the announcement.
• Active, full, current, and unrestricted LPN/LVN licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated grandfathering provision.
• Meet the grade-specific experience and competency requirements: GS-3 has no requirements beyond the basic requirements; GS-4 requires qualifying experience or qualifying education and experience; GS-5 requires at least one year of qualifying GS-4-level or equivalent experience and demonstrated practical nursing competencies; GS-6 requires at least one year of qualifying GS-5-level or equivalent experience and the specified advanced patient-care competencies.
• Ability to provide practical nursing care to patients with varied physical or behavioral needs and work effectively with patients, families, nursing staff, and other personnel.
• Knowledge and skill to prepare, administer, and document medications and treatments in accordance with approved local policies and procedures.
• Ability to recognize urgent or emergent situations, seek RN or physician assistance, and initiate appropriate emergency measures as directed.
• Meet pre-employment screening and onboarding conditions, including applicable drug testing, background/security investigation, physical evaluation, influenza vaccination, and annual employee health requirements.
• Ability to meet the position’s physical requirements, including prolonged walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing, and possible patient or object transfers.
• Ability to work effectively in stressful situations and shift priorities based on patient needs.

Nice To Haves

• Outpatient clinical experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, administer, record, and communicate results of medications, vital signs, treatments, and other care.
• Report and record gross and subtle changes in patients’ status.
• Under indirect RN supervision, function as the primary nurse and give change-of-shift reports to the oncoming nurse and nursing assistant.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to emergencies, including fire, disaster, bomb or hostage threats, cardiac or pulmonary arrest, and behavioral emergencies.
• Carry out emergency measures, initiate procedures for obtaining medical or other assistance, and initiate CPR as needed.
• Complete pain evaluations and, following established guidelines, provide education or refer patients for further evaluation.
• Follow asepsis and universal-precaution requirements to maintain a safe environment for patients, families, and employees.
• Set up and care for patients in isolation according to infection-control standards.
• Observe, identify, and respond to patient needs for medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient or family education.
• Prepare patients for complex diagnostic tests or specialized procedures; assist with examinations, handle specialized instruments or equipment, and monitor patients before, during, and after procedures.
• Report equipment breakage or malfunction, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies to appropriate personnel.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 over a one-to-five-year eligibility period.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for prior work or military service, if requested and approved before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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