Licensed Practical Nurse - Primary Care

Veterans Health Administration • Carroll, IA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse will provide frontline, patient-centered care to Veterans at the Carroll VA Clinic as part of Primary Care. Duties include rooming patients, obtaining and documenting vital signs, administering medications and vaccinations in accordance with Primary Care policies, completing clinical reminders, and reporting abnormal findings to an RN or provider. The LPN supports examinations, in-clinic treatments, procedures, and diagnostic testing; prepares patients and equipment; monitors patients before, during, and after procedures; and collects and labels blood and urine specimens while following laboratory safety and infection-control standards. The role also promotes virtual care to improve access and recognizes and responds to emergency situations.

The position is part of the VA Midwest Health Care Network’s Whole Health System of care, which emphasizes personalized health plans, healing relationships and environments, and connection to the Veteran’s community. The selected employee will work under the applicable level of nursing supervision and is expected to meet the licensing, education, and grade-specific qualification requirements. The full-performance level is GS-6; selection may be at GS-3 through GS-6. The position is not virtual, telework is unavailable, and relocation or recruitment incentives are not authorized. The occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program, and the position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program subject to its application and eligibility rules.

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.
• Active, full, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Graduation from an approved practical or vocational nursing school, or an applicable stated education exception.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; training is provided.
• Meet the experience and competency requirements for the grade sought: GS-3 requires no experience beyond the basic requirements; GS-4 requires one of the specified qualifying experience or education pathways; GS-5 requires at least one year of qualifying experience at GS-4 or equivalent and the listed practical nursing competencies; GS-6 requires at least one additional year of qualifying experience at GS-5 or equivalent and the listed competencies.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination or evaluation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete required application and online onboarding requirements and provide acceptable identification.
• Subject to background/security investigation; applicants selected for a testing-designated position are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.

Nice To Haves

• Prior Primary Care experience.

Responsibilities

• Room patients and obtain and document vital signs.
• Administer medications and vaccinations in accordance with Primary Care policies.
• Complete clinical reminders and report abnormal findings to an RN or provider.
• Assist with Primary Care examinations and procedures, including in-clinic treatments.
• Support diagnostic tests by preparing patients, handling equipment, and monitoring patients before, during, and after procedures.
• Collect and label blood and urine specimens using proper techniques and follow laboratory safety and infection-control standards.
• Promote and support virtual care modalities to improve Veteran access to Primary Care.
• Recognize and respond to emergency situations.
• Observe and document patients’ responses to medications and treatments and report changes in condition to the RN or provider, as applicable to the grade and assigned duties.
• Provide patient and family education and support patient privacy, dignity, and respectful care, as applicable to the grade and assigned duties.
• Report equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies to appropriate personnel, as applicable to the grade and assigned duties.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP), with repayment limited to $10,000 annually and $60,000 over a lifetime, subject to a service agreement and performance requirements.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 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.
• Selected applicants may qualify for 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.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family income and other eligibility criteria.
• 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 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