Licensed Practical Nurse - Geriatrics and Extended Care

Veterans Health Administration • Coatesville, PA

7h • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Vocational Nurse provides practical nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) and/or physician (MD/DO), working within the scope of the nurse’s license. Completed work may receive routine or detailed higher-level review depending on complexity. The role involves varied duties and opportunities to develop nursing knowledge and skills under supervision, supporting patients in Geriatrics and Extended Care.

The LPN provides care to diverse patient populations; observes, identifies, documents, and reports patient information and changes in condition, including urgent and emergent situations; administers and documents medications as permitted by local policies; and responds to patient needs for medication, equipment, and education. Care should account for emotional, cultural, spiritual, socioeconomic, and age-related factors, and promote patient and family communication, dignity, privacy, and positive relationships. The LPN may precept and support less experienced LPNs, nursing assistants, and health technicians, perform unit charge duties with assistance, and pursue and share educational opportunities.

This is an open continuous announcement. The full performance level is GS-6, and selection may be at GS-3 through GS-6. Multiple tours are available, including days and evenings, with rotating weekends. The initial 6–8 weeks require a 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. schedule before transition to the selected tour. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for eligible, highly qualified applicants; permanent change of station relocation assistance is not authorized. The position is not telework or virtual. EDRP may be available to eligible applicants, subject to program requirements and approval.

Requirements

• Graduate of a practical or vocational nursing school approved by the appropriate state agency and/or accredited by NLNAC at the time of completion.
• Full, active, current, and unrestricted LPN or LVN licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Meet the applicable GS-grade qualifications: GS-3 requires no experience beyond the basic requirements; GS-4 requires one of the listed qualifying experience or education pathways; GS-5 requires at least one year of qualifying GS-4-level or equivalent experience and the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities; GS-6 requires at least one additional year of qualifying GS-5-level or equivalent experience and the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and ability required for the selected grade, including practical nursing care, medication administration and documentation, patient observation and reporting, emergency response, patient and family education, teamwork, and, for applicable grades, precepting and support for complex procedures.
• Meet VA pre-employment requirements, including applicable drug screening, background/security investigation, onboarding and identification requirements, pre-employment physical evaluation, and participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• May be required to serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for eligible, highly qualified candidates.
• Prior work or military service may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical nursing care to diverse patient populations under the supervision of an RN and/or MD/DO and within the scope of the license.
• Use judgment to carry out patient care appropriate to patient condition, select appropriate orders, procedures, and treatments, and recognize, report, and record relevant patient information, including urgent and emergent situations.
• Observe and respond to patient needs for medication, medical equipment, and patient or family education, considering emotional, cultural, spiritual, socioeconomic, and age-related factors.
• Prepare, administer, and document commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by facility policies and procedures.
• Observe and document patient responses to medications and treatments, and report changes or deviations in condition to an RN or MD/DO.
• Establish constructive relationships with patients and families to promote communication and socialization while respecting privacy and dignity.
• Precept, orient, educate, and train less experienced LPNs/LVNs, nursing assistants, and health technicians, including supporting complex or specialized procedures.
• Perform unit charge duties with assistance from the area or supervising RN or Nurse Officer of the Day.
• Apply standard precautions, medical asepsis, and sterile technique in patient care and assist others in applying them.
• Recognize equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies and report them to appropriate personnel.
• Seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and share knowledge with peers.
• Accept changes in work assignments and locations, including charge duties.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and program 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 per year, 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.
• Child care subsidy may be available to eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other program limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized for eligible, highly qualified applicants.

What This Job Offers

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