Licensed Practical Nurse - Community Living Center

Veterans Health Administration • Seattle, WA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse works in Geriatrics and Extended Care, providing inpatient care to Veterans with acute and chronic health conditions. Patients may need dementia, rehabilitation, long-term, palliative, or hospice care. The LPN serves as a responsible member of the nursing care team and interacts with Veterans, residents, family members, professionals, and other employees involved in resident care. The role practices resident-centered care and helps the health care team balance resident requests with conventional clinical care.

The position is offered in Seattle and Tacoma. Seattle schedules include day shifts from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. or 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Tacoma schedules include day, evening, and night shifts from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., or 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Both locations have rotating weekends off. Twelve-hour compressed or flexible shifts may be authorized for Seattle only. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation assistance and recruitment incentives are not authorized. EDRP may be available to eligible applicants, subject to program requirements and approval.

The full performance level is GS-6, and selection may be at GS-3 through GS-6. The position is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO, with the level of review depending on grade and complexity of care. Applicants must meet applicable education, licensure, experience, and grade-level qualification requirements. A full, active, current, and unrestricted LPN/LVN license is required, as is proficiency in written and spoken English. The position requires U.S. citizenship, a background/security investigation, a pre-employment physical evaluation, and participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.

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 stated exceptions.
• Full, active, current, and unrestricted licensure as an LPN or LVN in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, or qualification under the applicable grandfathering provision for current VHA employees.
• Meet the grade-level qualifications for the grade selected: GS-3 has no requirements beyond the basic requirements; GS-4 requires qualifying experience or qualifying education and 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 patient-care knowledge and abilities.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Pass a background/security investigation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, submit to urinalysis; refusing testing results in denial of employment.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete the online onboarding process and required application documentation.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment after the trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in long-term care nursing.

Responsibilities

• Respond to patient needs, including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient and family education.
• Observe and collect data on patient care activities and progress.
• Assist with patient admissions and discharges.
• Prepare and administer prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Administer pain-control measures and document their effectiveness.
• Administer ordered respiratory therapies, including inhalers, nebulizer treatments, and oxygen delivery methods.
• Monitor, report, and participate in selected aspects of IV therapy and parenteral nutrition, including monitoring flow rate, site appearance, system integrity, IV devices, IV lines, prepared solutions, pumps, and PCA; document related care.
• Provide restorative nursing care according to the resident's care plan.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Recognize and report changes in patient condition, equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, and seek assistance or initiate emergency measures as appropriate.
• Support complex diagnostic tests and specialized procedures, including patient preparation, assistance during examinations, equipment handling, and patient monitoring.
• Seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and share knowledge with staff.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), for eligible participants and subject to approval, with an award of up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• 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 for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other program limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• 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