Licensed Practical Nurse-Primary Care Integrated Clinical Community

Veterans Health Administration • Saint Cloud, MN

21d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides direct physical and emotional care to Veterans in Primary Care and the Integrated Care Community (ICC) at the Saint Cloud VA Medical Center. The role performs practical nursing activities, supports clinical procedures, provides patient and family education, documents care, and assists Registered Nurses (RNs) and Providers. The position works under the general supervision of an RN or physician and supports safe, efficient, Veteran-centered care and clinic workflow.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. The full-performance level is GS-6; applicants may be selected at GS-3 through GS-6.

Requirements

• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission at the time of program completion, subject to the stated exceptions.
• Active, full, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, or qualification under the stated grandfathering provision.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Basic life support (BLS) certification, which must be obtained and maintained.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizen appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• GS-3: No qualifications beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-4: Six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience; or an approved-school graduation plus one year of qualifying nursing-care work; or graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
• GS-5: At least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent, plus the specified practical nursing knowledge and abilities, including patient care, education, medication administration and documentation, emergency response, teamwork, and reporting safety or equipment concerns.
• GS-6: At least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting GS-5 performance requirements, plus the specified abilities in patient assessment and care, medication and treatment administration, emergency response, patient and family interaction, complex procedure support, precepting, and continued learning.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and complete a pre-employment physical examination/evaluation.
• Must meet pre-employment screening and onboarding conditions, including background/security investigation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, drug screening.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Room patients; obtain vital signs; complete clinical reminders; reconcile medications; and perform basic procedures, including catheterization, dressing changes, ear lavages, nail trimming, bladder scans, and medication administration, including immunizations.
• Assist RNs and Providers with special procedures by preparing patients, securing supplies, collecting and labeling specimens, and providing peri-procedural monitoring.
• Support Providers with specialized injections, wound care, joint procedures, biopsies, skin tag removal, gynecologic procedures, and other clinic-specific minor procedures.
• Accurately document care and observations in the electronic medical record, including physical and emotional condition and procedure results.
• Educate Veterans and families about disease processes, medications, diagnostic procedures, self-management, and health promotion.
• Conduct telephone or face-to-face appointments to collect data, facilitate medication renewals, complete discharge follow-up calls, and route concerns appropriately.
• Report changes in Veteran condition to the RN or Provider and respond appropriately to emergent and non-emergent situations.
• Coordinate patient care with other departments and facilities, support clinic workflow, and participate in quality improvement efforts.
• Collaborate with clinical coordinators, tele-health staff, and administrative personnel to support tele-health programs and health promotion initiatives.
• Perform additional assigned duties to support safe, efficient, and Veteran-centered care.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 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.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment for qualifying birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy after 60 days for eligible full-time employees and families meeting income and other eligibility requirements.
• 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 can be carried into retirement.
• Potential Student Loan Repayment Program assistance of up to $40,000 annually and $100,000 lifetime, subject to program requirements and a three-year service agreement.

What This Job Offers

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