Licensed Practical Nurse (Whole Health)

Veterans Health Administration • Salisbury, NC

15h • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN), GS-7, performs complex nursing assignments and specialized patient-care activities under general supervision, exercising independent technical judgment. The nurse is accountable for individual practice and contributes Veteran care data and observations to the Veteran’s overall health plan. The role works collaboratively with registered nurses and health care providers while also working independently and communicating effectively with Veterans, families, caregivers, professionals, and support staff.

As part of the Whole Health program, the LPN supports care coordination and whole-person wellness through health education, coaching, motivational interviewing, and self-care strategies. The nurse helps Veterans develop realistic plans for health behavior change, connects them with community resources, and facilitates mind-body skills groups, workshops, and individual sessions for patients and staff. Coaching and training may be delivered by telephone, video, electronically, in person, or in group settings, according to patient needs and preferences. The nurse documents services, observations, responses, participation, and workload in the electronic health record and other appropriate tools.

The position also contacts eligible participants to explain and support enrollment in health coaching, coordinates scheduling with instructors for Complementary Integrative Health classes such as Yoga, Tai Chi, and meditation, and conducts outreach to Veterans and family members. The LPN represents the VA Health Care System and Integrated Health Program at community programs and outreach events.

This is a full-time, non-virtual position with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The position requires an approved practical or vocational nursing education (or an accepted exception), an active, full, current, unrestricted LPN/LVN license, and the specified GS-7 qualifications. The work includes direct patient care and may involve extended periods of walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling.

Requirements

• Graduate from a practical or vocational nursing school approved by the appropriate state agency and/or accredited by NLNAC when the program was completed, or meet an accepted education exception described in the posting.
• Hold active, full, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Meet English proficiency requirements for basic written and spoken English.
• For GS-7, have at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting GS-6 LPN/LVN performance requirements.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills for specialized patient-care duties in complex inpatient or outpatient settings.
• Be able to assist an RN or physician in prioritizing care, adjusting care plans, noticing subtle physical or emotional changes, and taking appropriate action.
• Be able to assist with medication and treatment needs, accurately administer prescribed medications or treatments, and record patient responses.
• Recognize potential urgent or emergent patient-care situations promptly.
• Support patients and families in taking an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles and positive outcomes.
• Communicate effectively with patients or family members who may be difficult to engage, resistant, abusive, or have difficulty understanding or following instructions.
• Apply comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and specialized-procedure skills, and support or serve as a resource to other staff as appropriate.
• Meet VA physical standards for nursing duties, including direct patient care and safe patient handling and mobility practices.
• Meet U.S. citizenship requirements, pass required pre-employment screening and physical examination, and satisfy applicable background, onboarding, and influenza vaccination conditions.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Nice To Haves

• Previous health coaching experience.
• Certificate of training in health and wellness coaching.
• Ambulatory Care experience, particularly in Primary Care.
• Knowledge of Complementary Integrative Health modalities such as Yoga, Tai Chi, and meditation.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized nursing care and contribute Veteran care data to individual health plans.
• Work collaboratively with registered nurses and health care providers, and communicate with Veterans, families, caregivers, professionals, and support staff.
• Promote therapeutic alliances and health behavior change through health education, health coaching, motivational interviewing, and self-care strategies.
• Refer Veterans to community resources that support wellness and reduce the risk of chronic illness and adverse health events.
• Coordinate and facilitate whole-health care, including leading mind-body skills groups, workshops, and individual sessions for patients and staff.
• Provide health and wellness coaching and mind-body skills training through approved telephone, video, electronic, in-person, individual, and group methods.
• Document coaching, skills training, observations, patient responses, health preferences, values, readiness for change, and class participation; ensure workload capture.
• Contact eligible participants, explain the health coaching process, and help Veterans develop realistic plans to meet their goals.
• Coordinate scheduling with instructors for Yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, and other Complementary Integrative Health classes.
• Conduct outreach to Veterans and family members and represent the VA Health Care System and Integrated Health Program at community programs and events.
• Recognize changes in patient condition and potential urgent or emergent situations, and take appropriate action within the nursing role.
• Support the RN or provider in prioritizing care, administering prescribed medications or treatments, recording responses, and monitoring patient-care practice as applicable.
• Seek educational opportunities and contribute to improving care delivery, patient and family satisfaction, and the nursing practice of other staff.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on 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 care placement.
• Child care subsidy eligibility for qualifying full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and 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.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

What This Job Offers

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