Licensed Practical Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • Baltimore, MD

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) serves on a multidisciplinary health care team and provides regular, recurring care to assigned patients. The Clinic LPN performs standard and specialized practical nursing activities, carrying out recurring duties independently and seeking guidance when needed to ensure quality care. Care is organized with consideration for patients’ emotional, cultural, spiritual, and age-related factors.

The LPN administers medications using appropriate techniques and procedures; documents observations, treatments, procedures, and conditions in the computerized patient record; and verbally reports relevant information to the appropriate person. The role requires proficiency in providing care to varied patient populations, using judgment to sequence procedures and treatments, and accurately recognizing, reporting, and recording patient information. The LPN also pursues educational opportunities and shares learning with staff to advance nursing practice.

This is a full-time position with a Monday–Friday schedule from 0730 to 1600. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The full performance level is GS-06; applicants may be selected at GS-03 through GS-06. The VA describes its care approach as Whole Health, empowering people to take charge of their health and well-being in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an approved practical or vocational nursing school, or an applicable stated military-training or licensure exception.
• Active, full, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical Nurse or Vocational Nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Meet the experience or education criteria for the grade sought: GS-03 has no additional requirements beyond the basic requirements; GS-04 requires one of the specified experience or education pathways; higher grades require the corresponding knowledge, skills, and abilities described in the announcement.
• Ability to provide practical nursing care to patients with varied physical and/or behavioral needs and to work appropriately with patients, families, and care-team members.
• Knowledge and skill to prepare, administer, and document commonly prescribed medications and observe and report patient responses.
• Ability to recognize the need for emergency measures and assist with resuscitation procedures where applicable to the grade.
• Ability to recognize patient-care needs, including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education; perform treatments under established policies and procedures; and report changes in condition.
• Ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient-care situations and initiate appropriate interventions as directed.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with patients, families, and other staff, while respecting privacy and dignity.
• Ability to perform support duties for complex diagnostic tests or specialized procedures, including preparation and monitoring duties, where applicable to the grade.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and any required background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Must meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification and required application documents.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period as a condition of employment.
• Physically and mentally able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

• Two to three years of medical-surgical inpatient experience and/or two to three years of outpatient primary care or specialty clinic experience.
• Good communication and customer service skills.
• Experience with phlebotomy, EKG, and vaccine administration.
• Experience with point-of-care testing, including blood glucose, A1C, and ketone testing.
• BLS is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide regular, recurring practical nursing care to assigned patients as part of a multidisciplinary health care team.
• Perform standard and specialized practical nursing activities, completing recurring duties independently and seeking guidance when necessary.
• Consider patients’ emotional, cultural, spiritual, and age-related factors when organizing and delivering care.
• Administer prescribed medications using proper techniques and procedures.
• Document observations, treatments, procedures, and patient conditions in the computerized patient record.
• Verbally report relevant patient information to the appropriate person.
• Use judgment to select the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments for patients’ conditions.
• Recognize, report, and record relevant patient information accurately.
• Seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and share newly gained knowledge with staff.
• Observe, document, and report patient responses and changes in condition related to medications or treatments.
• Recognize urgent or emergent patient-care situations and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Support complex diagnostic tests or specialized procedures, including preparing patients and equipment and monitoring patients before, during, and after procedures.
• Orient, educate, and train less experienced LPNs/LVNs or nursing assistants/health technicians as a preceptor for support duties related to complex tests or procedures.
• Maintain respectful relationships with patients and families and protect privacy and dignity in care delivery.
• Respond appropriately to equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies.

Benefits

• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting.
• 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.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package; eligibility depends on position type and other applicable conditions.

What This Job Offers

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