Licensed Practical Nurse - Surgical

Veterans Health Administration • Daytona Beach, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical Specialty Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides surgical and non-surgical care to inpatient and outpatient Veterans in collaboration with other care-team members. The LPN provides post-operative care, wound care, and other nursing interventions within the scope permitted by licensing authorities and the Veterans Health Administration. The LPN may enter orders for laboratory tests, supplies, and prosthetic items as permitted by nursing protocol policy.

At the GS-7 level, the position involves complex practical nursing assignments requiring substantial knowledge, skill, and self-direction. The LPN assists registered nurses and providers with prioritizing Veteran care, administering and documenting medications and treatments, recognizing changes in physical or emotional condition, responding to urgent or emergent situations as directed, and supporting safe care delivery. The role also includes helping Veterans and caregivers promote healthy lifestyles and monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing and non-medical staff.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with flexibility to meet organizational needs. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. The role requires a one- or two-year trial period. Recruitment or relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station assistance are not authorized.

Requirements

• Full, active, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated grandfathering provision for eligible current VHA employees.
• Graduation from a practical or vocational nursing program approved by the appropriate state agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission when the program was completed, subject to stated exceptions.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting GS-6 LPN/LVN performance requirements.
• Knowledge and skills to perform specialized patient-care duties in complex inpatient and/or outpatient settings.
• Ability to assist registered nurses or physicians in prioritizing patient care and adjusting care-delivery plans.
• Ability to administer and document prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient-care situations, seek assistance, and intervene as directed.
• Ability to support patients and families in promoting healthy lifestyles and to communicate with patients or family members who may be difficult to care for or communicate with.
• Knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices, including the ability to support complex patient care and monitor unlicensed staff.
• Ability to exercise independent technical judgment, apply comprehensive practical nursing knowledge, and contribute to care-delivery improvements.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination and meet applicable background, security, onboarding, identification, and application-document requirements.
• Selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Must meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program for VA health care personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period and receive written certification for continued employment after the trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Surgical specialty experience.
• Procedural experience.
• Leadership experience, including collateral leadership duties.

Responsibilities

• Assist registered nurses and providers in prioritizing Veterans’ care needs and adjusting care-delivery plans.
• Assist with medication and treatment needs; administer prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with policies and procedures, and document administration and patient responses.
• Recognize and report subtle physical or emotional changes that may require higher-level intervention, and take appropriate action based on observations.
• Recognize potential urgent or emergent care situations, seek assistance from the registered nurse or provider, and intervene as directed.
• Recognize signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly report observed changes, and initiate prescribed interventions.
• Accurately and thoroughly document care delivered and Veterans’ responses to care.
• Help Veterans, families, and caregivers take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles and positive outcomes.
• Communicate effectively with Veterans, families, or caregivers who may be difficult to care for or communicate with, including those exhibiting resistant, abusive, or hard-to-understand behaviors.
• Support registered nurses and providers in monitoring unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff involved in Veteran care, and promptly report deviations from normal practice.
• Monitor the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff.
• Provide post-operative care, wound care, and other nursing interventions within authorized scope.
• Enter orders for laboratory tests, supplies, and prosthetic items when permitted by nursing protocol policy.
• Contribute to improved care delivery and patient or family satisfaction through participation in committees, task forces, research projects, or educational-material development.
• Serve as a resource to staff on specialized procedures and practices, and seek educational opportunities to improve nursing knowledge and skills.

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.
• 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 with total family income below $144,000 may qualify for a child-care subsidy of up to 25% of eligible costs, subject to a monthly maximum of $416.66 and other eligibility conditions.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• 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.
• Selected applicants may qualify for annual-leave accrual credit based on prior work or military service, subject to approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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