Licensed Practical Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, GA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

This Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) position is within the Veterans Health Administration at the Augusta VA Medical Center and serves the Nurse, Geriatrics Service. Under the guidance of the Nurse Manager or designee, the LPN provides direct patient care and performs assigned duties to promote quality health care, positive customer service, and an environment committed to serving Veterans. Patient care is coordinated with the health care team, guided by the patient care plan and facility policies, and documented in the patient record.

The LPN is accountable for individual nursing practice and must be able to provide care to variable patient populations. Duties include carrying out assigned care appropriate to patients’ conditions; using judgment to select the sequence of procedures and treatments; and recognizing, reporting, and documenting relevant patient information. The position may be filled at GS-3 through GS-6, with GS-6 identified as the full performance level. The selected grade depends on the applicant’s qualifications and experience.

Requirements

• Graduate from a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate state agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission when the program was completed.
• Hold full, active, current, and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Meet the experience and qualification requirements for the grade sought: GS-3 requires no experience beyond the basic requirements; GS-4 requires six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience, or specified education plus experience, or graduation from an approved program of at least 24 months; GS-5 requires at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent; GS-6 requires at least one additional year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and meeting GS-5 performance requirements.
• Demonstrate practical nursing knowledge and ability appropriate to the grade, including patient care, medication administration and documentation, observation and reporting, and work with patients, families, and the health care team.
• Meet the physical standards outlined in VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including drug screening for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, pre-employment physical examination, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Complete the required online onboarding and application documentation and serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of long-term care or geriatric experience.
• Skill in IV starts and laboratory draws.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care under the guidance of the Nurse Manager or designee for the Nurse, Geriatrics Service.
• Participate in patient care needs identified in the patient care plan and follow hospital policies and procedures.
• Plan and coordinate patient care with the health care team.
• Thoroughly document patient care in the patient record as part of the care-planning process during the episode of care.
• Initiate, perform, and complete assigned nursing duties for variable patient populations.
• Carry out care appropriate to patients’ conditions and use judgment in selecting the order and sequence of procedures and treatments.
• Recognize, report, and record relevant patient information.
• Prepare and administer prescribed medications and perform treatments according to established policies and procedures, as applicable to grade and facility authorization.
• Observe and document patient responses and changes in condition, and promptly report deviations or urgent concerns to an RN or physician.
• Recognize urgent or emergent care situations, seek assistance, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Support complex diagnostic tests and specialized procedures, including preparing patients, assisting with examinations, handling specialized instruments or equipment, and monitoring patients before, during, and after procedures, as applicable to grade.
• Orient, educate, and train less experienced LPNs/LVNs or nursing assistants/health technicians as applicable to grade and assigned duties.
• Maintain respectful, constructive relationships with patients and families and protect their privacy and dignity.
• Incorporate established customer-service standards into interactions with patients, families, and other customers.
• Report equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies to appropriate personnel.
• Seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and share relevant learning with staff.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• 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.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income and other eligibility limits; the subsidy may cover up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, up to $416.66 per month.
• 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 can be carried into retirement.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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