Licensed Practical Nurse (Primary Care)

Veterans Health Administration • Asheville, NC

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Charles George VA Medical Center is recruiting four Licensed Practical Nurses for Primary Care in Nursing Services. The Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse is a member of the healthcare team who performs nursing skills specific to patients’ clinical needs in an assigned outpatient unit under the supervision of a registered nurse. The position performs work of considerable difficulty and responsibility under general supervision and requires independent technical judgment and a comprehensive working knowledge of practical nursing principles and practice.

The LPN provides education to patients and families about disease processes, medications, and prescribed treatment regimens; collaborates and communicates with the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) and other care partners; prioritizes patient care and adjusts delivery plans; observes and documents changes in patients’ physical or emotional condition and responses to care; and promptly reports deviations from normal practice to an RN or Primary Care Provider. The nurse contributes to improving care delivery and patient and family satisfaction, promotes customer service standards, and supports patients and families in adopting healthy lifestyles. The role also involves communicating effectively with patients or family members who may be difficult to care for or communicate with, including those exhibiting resistant, abusive, or disruptive behavior.

The LPN is expected to function independently within established policies and procedures; assess health literacy and educational needs; complete and document health-promotion and clinical reminders; provide appropriate care and de-escalate disruptive situations; participate in team performance improvement; facilitate safe transitions between care settings; and provide health education and coaching on wellness, disease prevention, chronic disease management, and self-management. The full-performance level is GS-6; selection may be at GS-3 through GS-6. The schedule is Monday through Friday with variable day tours. This is not a virtual or telework position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Graduation from an approved school of practical or vocational nursing, subject to the stated education exceptions.
• Full, active, current, and unrestricted LPN/LVN license in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated grandfathering provision.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For GS-4: six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience, or graduation from an approved school plus one year of qualifying nursing-care work, or graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months’ duration.
• For GS-5: at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent, with the specified practical nursing, medication, documentation, emergency response, and nursing-team capabilities.
• For GS-6: at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, meeting GS-5 performance requirements and demonstrating the specified patient-care, medication, assessment, emergency response, communication, customer service, and specialized-procedure support capabilities.
• Ability to work independently within established policies and procedures and exercise technical judgment.
• Ability to observe and respond to patient needs, recognize changes in condition, document care, and report deviations promptly.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare staff, including in stressful or challenging interactions.
• Ability to complete a pre-employment physical evaluation and meet annual Employee Health requirements.
• Must complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, and applicable drug screening; selected applicants must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Physical capacity and sensory abilities described in the posting, including visual acuity, hearing, distinctive speech, manual dexterity, and periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, and potentially transferring patients or objects.

Nice To Haves

• Clinic experience within the last three years.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical nursing care responsive to patients’ clinical needs in an outpatient setting under RN supervision.
• Educate patients and family members about disease processes, medications, prescribed treatments, wellness, disease prevention, chronic disease management, and self-management.
• Collaborate and communicate with PACT members, family and caregivers, internal services, community-based services, and other care disciplines.
• Prioritize patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery within the clinic.
• Observe, identify, and respond to patient needs for nursing care, medication, point-of-care testing, and equipment-assisted care; recognize and report deviations from normal.
• Assess Veterans and family/caregivers for health literacy and educational needs, provide health coaching and education, and complete and document health-promotion activities and clinical reminders as appropriate.
• Document care delivered and patient responses accurately and thoroughly, and promptly report changes or deviations to the RN or Primary Care Provider.
• Use appropriate techniques to de-escalate disruptive patients and adapt care to demographic and environmental needs.
• Participate in team performance improvement and sustainment activities to optimize care delivery and team efficiency.
• Manage communications and facilitate safe transitions between the PACT site and other healthcare settings.
• Promote customer service standards and contribute to improving care delivery and patient and family satisfaction.
• Participate in committees, task forces, research projects, or development of educational materials or media to improve care.
• Prepare and administer prescribed medications and treatments according to applicable policies and procedures for the selected grade and scope of practice.
• Recognize urgent or emergency situations, seek assistance, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Recognize and report equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies.
• Maintain respectful relationships with patients and families and protect patient privacy and dignity.
• Complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 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 birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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