Licensed Practical Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • Boise, ID

8h • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) works in Primary Care and performs assigned duties under the frequent guidance of the Nurse Manager or designee. The position promotes quality health care, positive customer service, and an environment committed to serving Veterans. The full performance level is GS-6, and the vacancy may be filled at grades GS-3 through GS-6.

The LPN provides direct patient care, recognizes and responds to emergencies, assists with Code Blues, monitors patient condition and IVs, administers medications, and follows infection-control and sterile-technique procedures. The LPN protects patient privacy, provides instruction and emotional support within scope of practice, refers questions beyond that scope to the team leader or charge nurse, and maintains positive relationships with patients, families, and staff.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MST. Telework and virtual work are unavailable. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval. Applicants must submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment; awards may be up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Graduation from a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by NLNAC when the program was completed, subject to the stated exceptions.
• Full, active, current, unrestricted LPN or LVN licensure in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, or eligibility under the stated grandfathering provision for qualifying current VHA employees.
• Meet the grade-specific qualifications for the grade sought: GS-3 requires no additional qualifications beyond the basic requirements; GS-4 requires qualifying experience or qualifying education/experience; GS-5 requires at least one year of qualifying GS-4-level experience and the specified practical-nursing knowledge and abilities; GS-6 requires at least one year of qualifying GS-5-level experience and the specified technical proficiency, patient-care, medication, emergency-response, communication, and diagnostic-support abilities.
• Complete application requirements and, if selected, the online onboarding process and required pre-employment identification and screening procedures.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Nice To Haves

• At least 1–2 years of successful Primary Care or Outpatient Clinic experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care and anticipate patient needs.
• Recognize emergency situations and initiate effective actions, including CPR in accordance with applicable policies.
• Assist in Code Blues by obtaining supplies and following directions from the nursing supervisor or charge nurse.
• Recognize changes in patient condition that may require special equipment or monitoring, and verbally report out-of-range levels to the Registered Nurse.
• Use safe patient-handling techniques, including ceiling lifts, limb slings, Sara Plus, and repositioning slings.
• Administer medications as ordered and observe for desired and untoward effects.
• Follow hand-washing, sterile-technique, infection-control, and universal-precaution requirements.
• Monitor IV solutions and the patency of IV tubing.
• Protect patient privacy and confidentiality during care and follow medical-center release-of-information policies.
• Provide patient-care instructions and answers within scope of practice, and refer questions or needs beyond that scope to the team leader or charge nurse.
• Identify patient and family emotional needs and provide appropriate emotional support.
• Promote positive interpersonal relationships with patients, staff, family members, and significant others.
• Maintain personal safety.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years, subject to eligibility and program approval.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type and other applicable criteria.

What This Job Offers

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