Licensed Practical Nurse - Ambulatory Care

Veterans Health Administration • Baltimore, MD

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Ambulatory Care serves as a member of a multidisciplinary health care team and provides care to selected patients on a regular, recurring basis. The LPN performs standard and specialized practical nursing activities requiring broad work experience. This is an intermittent position with a work schedule of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The LPN independently performs recurring duties within the scope of the role, seeking guidance when needed to ensure quality patient care. The position includes administering medications and documenting observations, treatments, procedures, and patient conditions in the computerized patient record, as well as verbally reporting information to the appropriate person. The full performance level is GS-06; applicants may be selected at GS-03 through GS-06.

The role is in a VA outpatient clinic and supports personalized, proactive care through the VA Whole Health approach. Telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an approved practical or vocational nursing school, or an applicable stated education exception.
• Active, full, current, unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical Nurse or Vocational Nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a stated grandfathering provision may apply to qualifying current VHA employees.
• Meet the qualification criteria for the grade selected, GS-03 through GS-06.
• For GS-04, one of the stated alternatives: six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience; 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-05 and GS-06, demonstrate the grade-specific practical nursing knowledge, skills, and abilities described in the announcement, including patient care, medication administration and documentation, recognizing and responding to changes or emergencies, and working effectively with patients, families, and staff.
• Complete a pre-employment physical evaluation and satisfy applicable background/security and onboarding requirements.
• Pass required urinalysis testing if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position; refusal results in denial of VA employment.
• Meet the seasonal influenza vaccination requirement for VA health care personnel.
• Complete all application requirements described in the Required Documents section.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated conditions.
• Provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements; from May 7, 2025, non-REAL-ID-compliant driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards cannot be used as acceptable employment identification.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of experience in ambulatory, primary care, or med-surg care within the last five years.

Responsibilities

• Observe changes in patients’ or residents’ conditions, including behavior, mood, skin color, and appetite.
• Document care provided and observations using appropriate tools or forms, and record observations, treatments, procedures, and conditions in the computerized patient record.
• Ensure patients receive adequate nutrition through observation, feeding, or proper positioning and checking of feeding-tube placement.
• Administer medications and provide stoma care, enemas, skin care, simple dressings, and assistance with braces and prosthetic devices.
• Monitor intake and output according to established policies and procedures.
• Respect patient autonomy and promote independence through respectful interactions, setting limits, and individualized treatment.
• Reinforce age-related health care education for patients and/or significant others.
• Integrate relevant aspects of the outpatient clinic performance improvement program into professional practice, as applicable.
• Schedule patient appointments in collaboration with team members, meeting time constraints established by ACA guidelines and VHA policies and prioritizing access for service-connected and OEF/OIF veteran populations.
• Report patient observations and changes verbally to the appropriate person.
• Seek guidance when necessary to ensure quality patient care.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Recruitment/relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station relocation assistance are not authorized.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed