Licensed Practical Nurse - Primary Care

Veterans Health Administration • Minneapolis, MN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse - Primary Care position provides care and counseling of patients and promotes maintenance of healthy living in the prevention of illness, injury, and chronic disease by using the nursing process including systematic data collecting, patient monitoring, nursing judgement, and evaluation of human response to actual or potential health problems. The LPN executes medical regimens including administering medication and treatments prescribed by providers. The Primary Care LPN completes assigned duties/responsibilities which involve performing non-standard and specialized Licensed Practical Nurse activities requiring broad work experience and demonstrated skill sufficient to independently resolve a range of nursing care decision making with minimal periodic supervision by the Registered Nurse.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination or evaluation.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required. Training provided.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• 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.
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Licensure - Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia.
• GS-03 - None beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-04 - Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) 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.
• GS-06 - Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN.

Nice To Haves

• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care of the patient with multiple geriatric, psychiatric, and/or medical problems.
• Perform a variety of nursing care activities, which include (but not limited to): vital signs, pain screening, clinical reminders, blood draws (as applicable), brace/splint application, ear irrigation, culture specimen collection, dressing changes, suture/staple removal and EKG.
• Contribute to the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care which expedites the patient's return to, or maintenance of, optimal functioning by providing continuity of care of each patient's individual needs.
• Observe, report, and record current observations such as patient's physical condition, emotional response, observes skin condition, variations in vital signs, personal habits of patient, and listens for clues to patient's reaction to illness and treatment, and documents in approved format.
• Recognize the need for and institute emergency measures and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest.
• Interpret the appropriate information to identify each patient's age-specific needs and to provide the identified care.
• Respond to concerns of patients and visitors in a manner that is effective and improves customer satisfaction.
• Check equipment, supplies, and containers to ensure products are not outdated and are stocked appropriately according to unit procedure.
• Prepare and administer prescribed medications and performs treatments according to established policies and procedures.
• Participate in patient/family teaching programs related to health promotion and reinforces instructions provided by the Registered Nurse and provider.
• Manage a group of patients for diagnostic testing results, return appointment notification, and follow up telephone calls as necessary.
• Use knowledge of pharmacology to recognize problems with outpatient medication administration, as prescribed by the Primary Care Provider.
• Initiate consultations for patients on behalf of the primary care provider, who retains responsibility for patient care.

Benefits

• Recruitment/Relocation incentive authorized for eligible, highly qualified applicants. A service agreement is required for all recruitment/relocation incentives.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
• 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• 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.
• 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 .
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree