Licensed Practical Nurse - Community Living Center

Veterans Health Administration • Seattle, WA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse works in Geriatrics and Extended Care, providing inpatient care to Veterans with acute and chronic health conditions. Residents may require dementia, rehabilitation, long-term, palliative, or hospice care. The nurse serves as a responsible member of the nursing care team, interacting with Veterans, residents, family members, professionals, and other employees involved in care delivery. The role practices resident-centered care and works with the healthcare team to balance resident requests with conventional clinical care.

The position is offered at Seattle and Tacoma locations. Seattle schedules include day shifts of 7:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m. or 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Tacoma schedules include day, evening, or night shifts of 6:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m., or 10:00 p.m.–6:30 a.m. Both locations have rotating weekends off. Twelve-hour compressed/flexible shifts may be authorized for Seattle only. Telework and virtual work are not available. The full performance level is GS-6, and selection may be at GS-3 through GS-6. 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 application requirements; awards may be up to $200,000 for one to five years, as determined by the program office.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate state agency and/or accredited by NLNAC when the program was completed, subject to the stated exceptions.
• Full, active, current, unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, or eligibility under the applicable grandfathering provision for current VHA employees.
• Meet the experience, education, and performance requirements for the grade sought. GS-4 qualification pathways include six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience; an approved nursing-school graduation plus one year of qualifying supervised nursing or patient-care experience; or graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months’ duration. GS-5 requires at least one year of qualifying experience at GS-4 level or equivalent and the stated GS-5 performance competencies. GS-6 requires at least one year of qualifying experience at GS-5 level or equivalent and the stated GS-6 performance competencies.
• GS-5 competencies include providing practical nursing care to patients with varied physical or behavioral problems; patient and family education; appropriate teamwork and customer service; medication preparation, administration, and documentation; recognizing emergencies and assisting with resuscitation; and identifying and reporting equipment, safety, or supply problems.
• GS-6 competencies include technically proficient patient care; exercising judgment in sequencing procedures and treatments; observing, documenting, and reporting patient information and changes; administering medications and treatments; responding to urgent or emergent situations; working effectively with patients, families, and staff; supporting complex diagnostic tests or specialized procedures; and pursuing educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete required application documents and onboarding; selected applicants are subject to background/security investigation and, for testing-designated positions, pre-appointment urinalysis.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment contingent on written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in long-term care.

Responsibilities

• Respond to patient needs, including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient and family education.
• Observe and collect data about patient care activities and progress.
• Assist with patient admission and discharge procedures.
• Prepare and administer prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Administer pain-control measures and record their effectiveness.
• Administer ordered respiratory therapies, including inhalers, nebulizer treatments, and oxygen.
• Monitor and report on selected aspects of IV therapy and parenteral nutrition, including flow rate, site appearance, system integrity, discontinuing IV devices, flushing IV lines with normal saline, administering commercially prepared IV solutions without additives, safely managing and monitoring pumps and PCA, and documenting IV therapy.
• Provide restorative nursing care according to the resident’s care plan.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Practice resident-centered care and participate with the healthcare team in balancing resident requests with conventional clinical care.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program, with potential reimbursement of up to $200,000 for an approved period of one to five years, subject to eligibility and program approval.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 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 birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child.
• Childcare subsidy may be available after 60 days for eligible full-time employees with total family income below $144,000, covering up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, subject to child eligibility and a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• 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; 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