Licensed Practical Nurse - Specialty Care

Veterans Health Administration • Waterloo, IA

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The Iowa City VA Health Care System is hiring a Specialty Care Licensed Practical Nurse to serve Veterans at the Waterloo VA Clinic. The position provides direct specialty-care nursing support, performs clinical procedures, administers medications and treatments, assists with diagnostic services, educates patients and families, and collaborates with an interdisciplinary team to deliver safe, high-quality, Veteran-centered care.

The LPN works within the scope of their license and established policies and procedures. Work is performed under RN or physician supervision, with the level of review depending on grade and task complexity. The vacancy’s full performance level is GS-06; applicants may be selected at GS-03 through GS-06. The position is not virtual, and telework is unavailable. The schedule is 0800–1630, Monday through Friday. Recruitment or relocation incentives and permanent-change-of-station assistance are not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval; applications must be submitted within four months of appointment.

Requirements

• Active, full, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Graduation from an approved school of practical or vocational nursing, or a stated qualifying education exception.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; training is provided.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Successful completion of applicable background and security investigation requirements and pre-employment drug screening for testing-designated positions.
• GS-04 qualification: six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience; or qualifying nursing-care experience plus graduation from an approved school; or graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration, subject to the announcement’s provisions.
• GS-05 qualification: at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-04 level or equivalent, with the described practical nursing knowledge, patient-care, medication, documentation, emergency-response, and teamwork competencies.
• GS-06 qualification: at least one additional year of qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent, meeting GS-05 performance requirements and demonstrating the described patient-care, judgment, medication, emergency-response, diagnostic-procedure support, and patient/family education competencies.
• Completion of required application and onboarding documentation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Service of a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.

Nice To Haves

• Prior optometry experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct nursing care to Veterans in specialty clinic settings, including obtaining vital signs, administering medications, and performing assigned treatments and procedures.
• Observe, assess, document, and report changes in patient condition, and communicate concerns requiring higher-level intervention to RNs and providers.
• Assist with complex diagnostic tests and specialty procedures by preparing patients, managing equipment, supporting examinations, and monitoring patient status before, during, and after procedures.
• Administer prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with established policies and document patient responses.
• Educate patients and families about treatment plans, specialty care services, disease management, and care goals.
• Recognize urgent or emergent situations, initiate appropriate actions, and coordinate care with the healthcare team.
• Work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team to provide safe, high-quality, Veteran-centered care.
• Recognize and report equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, or supply deficiencies and seek appropriate corrective action.
• Orient, educate, or train less experienced LPNs/LVNs or nursing assistants/health technicians as applicable to grade-level duties.
• Seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and share relevant learning with staff.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and program approval; awards may be up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of 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 the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Potential childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k), with VA contributions up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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