Licensed Practical Nurse-Primary Care Integrated Clinical Community

Veterans Health Administration • Montevideo, MN

18d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides direct physical and emotional care to Veterans in Primary Care and the Integrated Clinical Community (ICC) at the Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Montevideo. The position performs novice-level nursing activities, supports procedures, provides education, documents care, and assists Registered Nurses (RNs) and Providers.

The LPN rooms patients, obtains vital signs, completes clinical reminders, reconciles medications, performs basic clinical procedures, and administers medications, including immunizations. The role assists with specialized procedures, documents observations and care in the electronic medical record, educates Veterans and families, conducts telephone or face-to-face appointments, and reports changes in condition to the RN or Provider. The LPN also coordinates care across departments and facilities, supports clinic workflow and quality improvement, and collaborates on tele-health and health promotion initiatives.

This is a full-time position with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. The full performance level is GS-6; the selection grade may range from GS-3 to GS-6.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the NLNAC when the program was completed, subject to stated exceptions.
• Active, full, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a stated grandfathering provision may apply to qualifying current VHA employees.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification must be obtained and maintained.
• Must complete a pre-employment physical examination/evaluation and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must meet the qualifications for the grade selected: GS-3 requires no experience beyond the basic requirements; GS-4 requires six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience, or qualifying education plus one year of nursing-care experience, or graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months; GS-5 requires at least one year of qualifying GS-4-level experience; GS-6 requires at least one additional year of qualifying GS-5-level experience and fulfillment of GS-5 performance requirements.
• For GS-5, demonstrated ability to provide practical nursing care, educate patients or families, work as a responsible member of the nursing team, administer and document medications, observe and report patient responses or changes, and recognize and respond to emergencies is required.
• For GS-6, demonstrated ability to provide care to variable patient populations, use judgment in sequencing procedures and treatments, recognize and report relevant patient information, respond to patient needs and urgent situations, administer medications and treatments, support complex diagnostic tests or specialized procedures, and maintain constructive, respectful relationships with patients, families, and staff is required.
• Must meet applicable pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, identification, onboarding, and application-document requirements.
• Must serve a two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• Qualifying prior work experience or military service may be credited toward annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval before appointment.
• This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program, with repayment limited to $40,000 annually and $100,000 over a lifetime; participants must sign a three-year service agreement and maintain acceptable performance.

Responsibilities

• Room patients; obtain vital signs; complete clinical reminders; reconcile medications; and perform basic clinical procedures, including catheterization, dressing changes, ear lavages, nail trimming, and bladder scans.
• Administer medications, including immunizations.
• Assist RNs and Providers with special procedures by preparing patients, securing supplies, collecting and labeling specimens, and providing peri-procedural monitoring.
• Support Providers with specialized injections, wound care, joint procedures, biopsies, skin tag removal, gynecologic procedures, and other minor procedures based on clinic needs.
• Accurately document care and observations, including patients’ physical and emotional condition and procedure results, in the electronic medical record.
• Educate Veterans and families about disease processes, medications, diagnostic procedures, self-management, and health promotion.
• Conduct telephone or face-to-face appointments to collect data, facilitate medication renewals, complete discharge follow-up calls, and route concerns appropriately.
• Report changes in a Veteran’s condition to the RN or Provider and respond appropriately to emergent and non-emergent situations.
• Coordinate patient care activities with other departments and facilities, assist with clinic workflow, and support quality improvement efforts.
• Collaborate with clinical coordinators, tele-health staff, and administrative personnel to support tele-health programs and health promotion initiatives.
• Perform other assigned duties to ensure safe, efficient, and Veteran-centered care.

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, consisting of 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility criteria.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k), with VA contributions up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Student Loan Repayment Program eligibility, subject to program requirements and service agreement.

What This Job Offers

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