Licensed Practical Nurse- Primary Care

Veterans Health Administration • Rapid City, SD

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) position is located at the Rapid City VA Clinic in Rapid City, South Dakota. Under the direction of a registered nurse (RN), the LPN is a member of a Primary Care Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT), providing basic and specialized nursing care for adult and geriatric Veterans with varied physical, mental, behavioral, or psychological needs. The role involves face-to-face, video, and telephone interactions with Veterans and supports clinic flow, provider visits, treatments, procedures, and follow-up care.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The full performance level is GS-6, and selection may be made at a grade from GS-3 through GS-6. The employee works under general supervision of an RN or physician, with review appropriate to the grade and complexity of assigned work. This is not a virtual position; telework and relocation assistance are not authorized.

The VA describes its care model as a Whole Health System that supports personalized health plans, healing relationships and environments, and connection to the Veteran's community. The position requires an approved practical or vocational nursing education and active, full, current, unrestricted LPN or LVN licensure, subject to the listed qualification alternatives and grade-specific experience criteria. Basic Life Support certification is required, with training provided.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an approved practical or vocational nursing program, subject to the listed exceptions.
• Active, full, current, unrestricted LPN or LVN licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated grandfathering provision.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; training is provided.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and applicable background/security investigation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• For GS-04: six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience; or approved-school graduation plus one year of qualifying nursing care experience; or graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
• For GS-05: at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent, with the specified practical nursing knowledge and abilities.
• For GS-06: at least one additional year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, meeting GS-5 performance requirements, with the specified patient-care, judgment, communication, and technical abilities.
• May be required to serve a one- or two-year trial period and complete online onboarding and application documentation requirements.
• For males born after December 31, 1959, Selective Service registration is required.
• Applicants selected for VA employment in a testing-designated position are subject to urinalysis before appointment; refusal results in denial of employment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an LPN on a Primary Care Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT).
• Assist with Veteran intake before provider visits and maintain clinic flow.
• Complete relevant clinical reminders and preventive health screenings.
• Document collected data and nursing care in the Veterans electronic medical record.
• Report relevant patient information to the clinic RN or provider.
• Assist providers with examinations and procedures as needed.
• Perform treatments and procedures, including electrocardiograms, vital signs, weights, blood glucose readings, basic foot care, bladder scans, and ear flushes.
• Track and administer required immunizations.
• Administer ordered medications according to Medical Center and Nursing Service policy and monitor for side effects.
• Participate in the management and follow-up of patient care needs and requests.
• Prepare patients for procedures, adapting preparation to physical and emotional needs, and observe for and manage therapeutic or possible complications.
• Initiate nursing measures to prevent complications by recognizing changes or deviations in patient condition.
• Recognize and respond to emergencies, initiate emergency measures, and respond to clinic emergencies, including administering CPR.
• Perform venipuncture and specimen collection, and prepare specimens for storage or transport.
• Participate in PACT team huddles and meetings as needed.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 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.
• 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, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify after 60 days for a child-care subsidy of up to 25% of eligible costs, subject to income, child eligibility, and a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; 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