Licensed Practical Nurse - General Medicine Service

Veterans Health Administration • Auburn, WA

5d

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse will provide practical nursing care to patients in the General Medicine Service in accordance with patient care plans, professional standards, and established procedures. The role involves collecting and documenting patient information, monitoring responses to care and medication, communicating changes in condition, and providing patient and family education as directed. The nurse must recognize urgent or emergent situations and seek assistance or intervene as directed.

This is an open continuous announcement, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates considered on a rolling basis until vacancies are filled. The full performance level is GS-6; selections may be made at GS-3 through GS-6. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday in 8-hour shifts. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified applicants, and the position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program requirements. Permanent Change of Station relocation assistance is not authorized.

Requirements

• Graduate from a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency or accredited by NLNAC, subject to the stated exceptions.
• Hold full, active, current, and unrestricted LPN or LVN licensure in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, or qualify under the stated grandfathering provision for eligible current VHA employees.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Meet the experience and competency requirements for the grade sought: GS-3 has no requirements beyond the basic requirements; GS-4 requires qualifying experience or the specified combination of nursing experience and education; GS-5 requires at least one year of qualifying GS-4-level experience and the listed practical nursing competencies; GS-6 requires at least one year of qualifying GS-5-level experience and the listed advanced competencies.
• For GS-5, demonstrate knowledge and ability to provide a broad range of practical nursing care, educate patients and families, work appropriately as a member of the nursing team, prepare and document commonly prescribed medications, recognize emergencies and assist with resuscitation, and report equipment or safety issues.
• For GS-6, demonstrate technical proficiency in assigned patient care, use judgment to sequence procedures and treatments, recognize and report relevant patient information, administer medications and treatments, respond to urgent or emergent situations, work effectively with patients and families, support complex diagnostic procedures, and seek educational opportunities to improve nursing practice.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Complete applicable pre-employment screening and onboarding requirements, including a drug test if selected for a testing-designated position, background/security investigation, and required influenza vaccination program participation.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Complete application requirements detailed in the announcement’s Required Documents section.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in nursing in long-term care.

Responsibilities

• Deliver respectful, non-judgmental care according to the patient care plan, considering age- and population-specific health needs and patients’ cognitive, physical, emotional, and developmental characteristics.
• Perform aspects of admission and discharge procedures as directed.
• Collect patient data and observations, accurately report patient information, and recognize changes in patient status or response to nursing care.
• Promptly recognize urgent or emergent patient-care situations, seek assistance, and intervene as directed when appropriate.
• Communicate changes in patient condition or response to nursing care to the care team.
• Organize and prioritize routine and non-routine nursing care activities.
• Accurately document and retrieve clinical information using the electronic medical record.
• Educate patients and family members, as directed, about common disease processes, medications, and prescribed diagnostic or treatment regimens.
• Prepare and administer medications using safe techniques and established standards; document administration in BCMA.
• Observe patients for adverse medication effects and report findings to the team RN.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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.
• Possible credit toward annual leave accrual for prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with a birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Child care subsidy may be available after 60 days for eligible full-time employees and qualifying families.
• 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 programs can be carried into retirement.
• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan payment reimbursement, subject to program requirements.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified applicants.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree