Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN)

Veterans Health Administration • Baton Rouge, LA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) works in Outpatient Primary Care at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The LPN/LVN provides technically proficient, patient-centered nursing care under the supervision and direction of a registered nurse (RN) or medical provider, supporting safe and efficient clinical operations and high-quality care within the healthcare team.

The role includes preparing for and supporting outpatient visits, maintaining clinic flow, administering prescribed medications and treatments, monitoring patient responses, and communicating relevant findings to an RN or provider. The LPN/LVN also supports patient education, health coaching, secure message management, consult tracking, follow-up, and panel management in collaboration with the PACT.

The position is typically scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the schedule may change based on facility needs. The work is performed in an office or clinic setting with minimal risks and normal safety precautions, but may involve handling several tasks at once in stressful situations. The full performance level is GS-06; applicants may be selected at GS-03 through GS-06. The role requires appropriate practical or vocational nursing education and full, active, current, unrestricted LPN/LVN licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, along with spoken and written English proficiency.

Requirements

• Graduate from a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate state agency and/or accredited by NLNAC when the program was completed, subject to the stated exceptions for qualifying military training, specified current VHA employees, or licensure jurisdictions that do not require graduation from an approved school.
• Hold full, active, current, unrestricted licensure as an LPN or LVN in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Meet grade-specific qualification requirements: GS-03 requires no qualifications beyond the basic requirements; GS-04 requires one of the stated experience or education pathways; GS-05 requires at least one year of qualifying experience at GS-04 or equivalent and the stated nursing competencies; GS-06 requires at least one additional year of qualifying experience at GS-05 or equivalent and the stated competencies.
• Demonstrate the practical nursing knowledge and judgment appropriate to the selected grade, including patient care, medication administration and documentation, observation and reporting of patient changes, and emergency response.
• Meet U.S. citizenship requirements, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Pass required pre-employment screening and procedures, including a physical evaluation, applicable drug testing, background/security investigation, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Be able to meet the physical demands of the assignment, which may include standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; personal protective equipment and annual TB screening or testing may also be required.
• For GS-05 and GS-06, meet the grade-specific expectations described in the announcement, including patient and family education, appropriate interaction with patients and care teams, medication and treatment skills, emergency response, and, for GS-06, support of complex diagnostic tests or specialized procedures and precepting responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of experience in a Primary Care clinic.
• Phlebotomy experience performing venipunctures and specimen processing.

Responsibilities

• Confirm the reason for patient visits, conduct pre-visit outreach, reinforce instructions, and ensure Veterans bring needed logs, equipment, and health information.
• Review records, obtain missing documentation, update changes in patient conditions or treatments, and prepare clinical data for appointments.
• Room patients, collect vital data, complete assigned clinical reminders, assist providers with procedures, administer medications and immunizations, and keep exam rooms clean and stocked.
• Use judgment to sequence procedures and treatments; review medications and allergies, identify urgent needs, initiate locally approved nursing protocols or clinical pathways, and communicate key findings to the RN or provider.
• Consider emotional, socioeconomic, and age-related factors when organizing and delivering patient care.
• Prepare and administer prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications and perform treatments in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Observe patients for physical or emotional changes related to medications or treatments, document changes promptly and accurately, and report deviations from normal to the RN or provider.
• Recognize urgent or emergent situations, seek assistance from the RN and/or provider, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Support team functioning through health coaching, patient education, secure message management, consult tracking, PACT meeting participation, and follow-up with patients who miss appointments.
• Collaborate with the PACT on access, continuity, quality, and patient-experience goals; support panel management through schedule review, selection of appropriate visit modalities, and completion or routing of secure messages.
• Support diagnostic tests and specialized procedures by preparing patients, assisting with examinations, handling specialized instruments or equipment, and monitoring patients before, during, and after procedures.
• Orient, educate, or train less experienced LPNs/LVNs or nursing assistants/health technicians, as applicable to the grade and duties.
• Recognize equipment malfunction or loss, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, and report them to appropriate personnel for corrective action.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Eligible employees may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility conditions.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or special VA needs.

What This Job Offers

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