Licensed Practical Nurse Primary Care

Veterans Health Administration • Green Bay, WI

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) GS-07 provides comprehensive, proactive nursing care in Outpatient Primary Care to advance quality health outcomes, deliver patient- and family-centered service, and support the care of Veterans. The position performs practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision, exercising independent technical judgment and applying comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills.

The LPN/LVN provides specialized patient care, contributes current patient-care information to health plans, and assists registered nurses and providers in prioritizing and adjusting care. The role includes observing and documenting patient changes and responses, administering prescribed medications and treatments, recognizing drug reactions and urgent or emergent situations, and taking appropriate action or seeking higher-level assistance. The nurse also supports healthy lifestyles, helps improve care delivery and patient satisfaction, serves as a resource and role model for staff, and monitors the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff.

The schedule is a variable-start day shift, Monday through Friday. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. A recruitment or relocation incentive has been approved for a highly qualified applicant; permanent change of station and appraised value offer are not authorized.

Requirements

• Graduate of a practical or vocational nursing program approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission at the time of completion; transcripts are required.
• Full, active, current, and unrestricted LPN or LVN licensure in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a copy of the license is required.
• 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 in complex inpatient and/or outpatient settings and contribute to patient health plans and nursing interventions.
• Ability to assist an RN and/or MD/DO in prioritizing care, adjusting care delivery, observing and documenting subtle changes, and communicating changes requiring higher-level intervention.
• Ability to administer prescribed medications and treatments accurately, record administration and patient responses, recognize subtle signs of drug reactions, and initiate prescribed interventions.
• Ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient-care situations, seek assistance, and intervene as directed.
• Ability to communicate with and influence patients and family members who may be difficult to care for or communicate with, including those exhibiting resistant or abusive behavior or difficulty understanding or following instructions.
• Knowledge and skill in specialized practical nursing procedures sufficient to serve as a resource to other staff and support complex patient care.
• Ability to monitor the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff and promptly report deviations from normal practice.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship is required, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and background/security investigation; selected applicants are subject to drug screening and must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete the required online onboarding and application documentation and serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• A highly qualified applicant may be eligible for an approved recruitment or relocation incentive.
• Current VHA employees in the occupation may qualify under the VA Qualification Standard’s Grandfathering Provision, if they meet its criteria.

Responsibilities

• Deliver comprehensive, proactive nursing care to Veterans in outpatient primary care.
• Perform specialized patient-care duties, including assignments in more complex care settings.
• Contribute current patient-care data to development of patients’ overall health plans and participate in prioritizing or modifying treatment plans.
• Assist the RN and/or provider in prioritizing patient-care needs and adjusting care delivery plans.
• Observe subtle physical and emotional changes, document care and patient responses, and inform the RN or provider when higher-level intervention is needed.
• Assist with medication and treatment needs; administer prescribed medications and treatments according to policy, and record administration and patient response.
• Recognize potential or actual drug reactions and initiate prescribed interventions while promptly informing the RN or provider of relevant changes.
• Recognize urgent or emergent patient-care situations, seek assistance, and intervene as directed to maintain safe and therapeutic care.
• Help patients and families take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles.
• Communicate effectively with patients and family members who may be difficult to care for or communicate with, including those exhibiting resistant, abusive, or self-control issues or difficulty understanding instructions.
• Participate in committees, task forces, research projects, or development of educational materials to improve care delivery and patient or family satisfaction.
• Apply customer-service standards in nursing practice.
• Serve as a resource, role model, and mentor to nursing staff regarding complex procedures, specialized care, and technology.
• Support RN or provider oversight of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff, monitor their patient-care practices, and report deviations from normal practice.
• Seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and help other staff advance their practice.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees and their families.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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