Licensed Practical Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • Bessemer, AL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This Licensed Practical Nurse position is in the Primary Care Service at associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) within the Birmingham VA Health Care System. As a member of the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT), the LPN provides practical nursing care to Veterans with varied health care needs in CBOCs and Specialty Clinics. The role requires practical nursing knowledge and skills, self-direction in carrying out complex assignments, and collaboration with the health care team.

A major function of the position is collecting and handling laboratory specimens. The LPN performs phlebotomy, uses appropriate collection techniques, labels, prepares, stores, and packages specimens according to laboratory requirements, prepares laboratory requisitions, and ensures documentation and laboratory work are accurate and timely. The LPN also maintains clean and sanitary work areas and equipment, follows personal protective equipment guidelines, and complies with Birmingham VA Health Care System policies and procedures.

The position also supports patient care and clinic operations as needed, including assisting with daily workload outside the laboratory. The LPN is expected to provide professional customer service, communicate effectively with patients and colleagues, respond promptly to phone calls, manage time effectively, work with minimal on-site supervision, and contribute to problem solving in a fast-paced environment.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and may change based on agency needs. The position may be authorized for ad hoc telework; eligibility is discussed during the interview. This is not a virtual position. The full performance level is GS-6, and the selection grade range is GS-5 to GS-6. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval; awards may be up to $200,000 for a period of one to five years. Recruitment incentive and relocation assistance are not authorized.

Requirements

• Graduate from a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission when the program was completed.
• Hold full, active, current, and unrestricted LPN or LVN licensure in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Have computer skills, including Microsoft Word, MS Teams, and Excel.
• Have effective verbal and written communication skills, good time management, and the ability to work with minimal on-site supervision.
• Be detail-oriented and able to work in a fast-paced environment while providing accurate, quality work.
• For GS-5, have at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent, along with the listed knowledge and abilities in practical nursing care, patient education, medication administration and documentation, emergency response, equipment and safety issue reporting, and teamwork under general supervision.
• For GS-6, have at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and meet the performance requirements, including patient care judgment, observation and reporting, medication and treatment administration, emergency response, patient and family support, and customer service.
• Meet applicable U.S. citizenship requirements; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Pass the required pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation, and comply with applicable drug-testing and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Complete the required online onboarding and application documentation, and serve a two-year trial period.

Responsibilities

• Perform phlebotomy and address complications that may arise.
• Use appropriate phlebotomy techniques to collect specimens that meet laboratory requirements.
• Collect, label, prepare, and store laboratory samples according to laboratory specifications.
• Label sterile containers for other samples, such as urine, and instruct patients on proper collection procedures.
• Assemble, maintain, and dispose of medical instruments, including needles, test tubes, and blood vials.
• Follow processes for turnaround times, specimen collection and handling, and documentation of sample collection.
• Prepare laboratory requisitions in the computer using all required information.
• Prepare and package specimens for courier transport in a timely manner and ensure laboratory work is complete and error-free.
• Respond professionally to requests for flexibility in duties, schedules, and staffing to accommodate patient and laboratory needs.
• Keep work areas and equipment clean and sanitary, and comply with PPE guidelines and facility policies, protocols, and procedures.
• Assist with daily workload outside the laboratory as needed.
• Provide quality patient care and customer service; handle phone calls promptly and professionally according to customer service protocol.
• Work effectively with others and use problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 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.
• Potential childcare subsidy for qualifying full-time employees after 60 days of employment.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance, with many programs eligible to continue into retirement.
• Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility, subject to individual eligibility and program approval, with awards up to $200,000 for one to five years.

What This Job Offers

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