Licensed Practical Nurse - Ambulatory Care

Veterans Health Administration • Flagstaff, AZ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Northern Arizona VA Health Care System is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to join its Ambulatory Care team. The LPN is accountable for individual nursing practice and performs assigned duties to provide care to varied patient populations. The role requires applying judgment to carry out patient care based on each patient's condition, selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, and accurately recognizing, reporting, and recording relevant patient information. The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is not virtual, and telework is unavailable.

The position's full performance level is GS-06; applicants may be selected at grades GS-03 through GS-06. The role works under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO, with the degree of review varying according to duties and complexity. Candidates must meet the VA's applicable licensure, education, and grade-level qualifications. The position includes physical demands such as lifting and carrying up to 44 pounds, pushing and pulling, reaching, walking, kneeling, standing, and bending.

The VA offers competitive salary with regular increases, paid leave and federal holidays, potential annual-leave accrual credit for qualifying prior work or military service, paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, possible childcare subsidy for eligible employees, federal pension and 401(k), and federal insurance options. Recruitment and relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station assistance are not authorized.

Requirements

• Full, active, current, and unrestricted LPN or LVN license from a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Graduation from a practical or vocational nursing school approved by the appropriate state agency and/or accredited by NLNAC, subject to stated exceptions.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
• Meet the experience, education, and demonstrated competency requirements for the grade selected: GS-03 requires no experience beyond basic requirements; GS-04 requires six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience or qualifying education, with a stated combined education-and-experience option; GS-05 requires one year of qualifying GS-04-level experience and specified nursing competencies; GS-06 requires one additional year of qualifying GS-05-level experience and full performance at that level.
• Ability to provide practical nursing care to varied patient populations and carry out assigned care according to patient condition.
• Ability to prepare, administer, and document prescribed medications and treatments as permitted by facility policy and procedures.
• Ability to recognize and respond to urgent or emergent patient-care situations.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and any required background/security investigation; applicants tentatively selected for testing-designated VA positions are subject to pre-employment drug testing.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete required application and online onboarding steps and provide acceptable identification for employment verification.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.
• Meet the position's physical requirements, including moderate lifting and carrying up to 44 pounds; pushing and pulling; reaching above shoulder level; use of both hands; walking, kneeling, and standing; repeated bending; and specified vision, color-discrimination, depth-perception, coordination, and hearing abilities.

Nice To Haves

• One year of primary care experience.
• Phlebotomy experience.

Responsibilities

• Room patients and prepare for appointments, including reviewing appointment information.
• Obtain patient histories and vital signs.
• Administer vaccinations and medications in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Perform procedures such as EKGs and post-void residual measurements.
• Collect specimens and perform phlebotomy.
• Perform dressing changes and remove sutures or staples.
• Assist the RN or provider with patient care.
• Manage electronic health records and secured messaging.
• Observe, identify, and respond to patient needs and report relevant patient information or changes in condition to the RN or MD/DO.
• Recognize urgent or emergent care situations, seek assistance, and assist with resuscitation procedures when indicated.
• Recognize equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, or supply deficiencies and report them to appropriate personnel.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual-leave accrual based on qualifying prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and program limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k), with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance options; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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