Licensed Practical Nurse (Specialty Clinic)

Veterans Health Administration • Asheville, NC

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Charles George VA Medical Center is recruiting one Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) for the Specialty Care Service Line. This GS-7 role performs complex nursing assignments in a specialty clinic, applying comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices. The work involves considerable difficulty and responsibility and is performed under general supervision.

The LPN supports population health oversight and clinical outcomes for specialty clinic panels, completes and reports monthly chart audits, serves as a resource for specialized procedures and clinical reminders, and helps orient and mentor clinic staff. The role also provides direct patient care, supports diagnostic procedures, participates in clinical huddles and staff selection activities, and uses independent judgment to identify patient needs and changes in condition.

The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. The position is permanent, and recruitment, relocation, and permanent change of station incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate state agency or accredited by NLNAC, or meet an applicable education exception.
• Full, active, current, and unrestricted LPN or LVN license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• At least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, meeting GS-6 LPN/LVN performance requirements.
• Knowledge and skills to perform specialized patient-care duties and contribute to development and modification of treatment plans.
• Ability to assist an RN or physician in prioritizing patient-care needs and adjusting care delivery plans.
• Ability to recognize subtle physical and emotional changes in patients, document care and responses accurately, and promptly report changes requiring higher-level intervention.
• Ability to assist with medication and treatment needs, administer prescribed medications and treatments according to policy, document administration and patient responses, and recognize potential drug reactions.
• Ability to recognize urgent or emergent situations, seek appropriate assistance, and intervene as directed.
• Ability to communicate with and influence patients or family members who may be difficult to care for or communicate with, including those exhibiting resistant, abusive, or difficult-to-understand behaviors.
• Ability to serve as a resource and mentor for staff in complex or specialized patient care.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, except where an applicable VA policy exception permits appointment of a non-citizen.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Must pass required pre-employment screening, including a physical evaluation; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to urinalysis.
• Must meet applicable background/security, onboarding, identification, Selective Service, and application-document requirements.
• Must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Responsibilities

• Oversee population health for Specialty Clinic panels to improve clinical outcomes, including monitoring ASCS, VSSC metrics, and other measures as needed.
• Complete monthly chart audits and compile and report data to leadership.
• Serve as a resource for complex or specialized procedures, including noncomplex suture removal, noncomplex wound care, ear irrigation, and bladder scans.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for clinical reminder education and completion.
• Orient new LPNs to their population health responsibilities.
• Apply standard precautions, medical asepsis, and sterile technique, and assist others in implementing these practices in the clinic.
• Assist with diagnostic procedures by preparing patients, setting up sterile fields and instrumentation, and monitoring patient condition.
• Facilitate HRO huddles in conjunction with leadership.
• Serve as a formal and informal preceptor or mentor for new LPN/HT hires and RNs when needed.
• Participate in staff interviews when requested and complete Preceptor Mentor Coach training.
• Identify and initiate annual laboratory testing for applicable patient populations, including patients with diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease.
• Independently perform clinic intake for scheduled and walk-in patients, identify potential clinical problems or deviations from normal, and communicate and initiate appropriate action.
• Provide nursing care through modalities such as triage before provider visits, nurse health maintenance visits, telephone triage, secure messaging, and the Clinical Message Relay Queue.
• Consider patients' age, physical, emotional, social, cultural, and population-specific needs when providing care.
• Observe and document changes in patient condition, appropriately escalate concerns, support prescribed treatments, and contribute to care-plan prioritization or modification within the LPN/LVN role.
• Support and monitor the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery and promptly report deviations from normal practice.
• Promote healthy lifestyles, customer service, and improved patient and family satisfaction; pursue education and support the development of nursing practice.

Benefits

• 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.
• Eligible employees may receive 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 birth, adoption, or foster placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k), with VA contributions up to 5%.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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