Licensed Practical Nurse - PACT

Veterans Health Administration • Kansas City, MO

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Kansas City VA Medical Center is recruiting one Licensed Practical Nurse to join the Primary Care team in Kansas City, Missouri. The LPN provides technically proficient, patient-centered nursing care under the supervision and direction of a registered nurse or provider, supporting safe and efficient clinical operations and high-quality care. The position is assigned to the Kansas City VA Medical Center and is not virtual or eligible for telework.

The work schedule is 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday. The vacancy’s full performance level is GS-06, and applicants may be selected at grades GS-03 through GS-06. Work is performed under the supervision of an RN or physician, with the degree of review varying by grade and complexity of assigned duties. The role requires an active, full, current, unrestricted practical or vocational nursing license and graduation from an approved practical or vocational nursing program, subject to the stated exceptions. A pre-employment physical evaluation and seasonal influenza vaccination are required. The position is full-time and permanent; recruitment or relocation incentives and relocation assistance are not authorized.

Benefits described include competitive salary with regular increases, paid annual and sick leave and federal holidays, possible credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior work or military service, paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, possible childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days, a federal pension and 401(k) with VA contributions, and federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance.

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 a practical or vocational nursing school approved by the appropriate state agency and/or accredited by NLNAC when the program was completed, subject to the stated military-training and licensure exceptions.
• Active, full, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• GS-03: Meet the basic requirements; no additional grade-specific experience is required.
• GS-04: Six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience; or graduation from an approved school and one year of qualifying nursing-care experience in a supervised care setting; or graduation from an approved school program of at least 24 months.
• GS-05: At least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-04 level or equivalent, and the ability to provide a range of practical nursing care, train less experienced staff, educate patients or families, work effectively as a nursing team member, administer and document commonly prescribed medications, recognize emergencies, and report equipment, safety, or supply problems.
• GS-06: At least one additional year of qualifying experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent, fully meeting GS-05 performance requirements; ability to provide care to variable patient populations, use judgment in care and treatment sequencing, recognize and report patient needs and changes, administer medications and treatments, respond to urgent or emergent situations, provide patient and family education, support complex diagnostic or specialized procedures, and precept less experienced staff.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Subject to background and security investigation, pre-employment drug testing for testing-designated positions, required onboarding, and a one- or two-year trial period.
• Must complete all application requirements described in the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of qualifying experience in a hospital or ambulatory care clinic.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient-centered practical nursing care under the supervision and direction of an RN or provider.
• Use nursing knowledge and judgment to carry out patient care, select the appropriate sequence of procedures and treatments, and accurately recognize, report, and record relevant patient information.
• Complete preventive procedures, nursing tasks, chart reviews, panel scrubbing, daily huddles, and visit preparation.
• Orient, educate, and train less experienced LPNs/LVNs or nursing assistants/health technicians as a preceptor.
• Support clinic operations by completing screening reminders, rooming patients, assisting providers, managing room turnover, and making pre-visit calls to prepare patients for labs and procedures.
• Perform support duties for complex diagnostic tests and specialized practices or procedures, including preparing patients and assisting with examinations and equipment as appropriate to the assigned grade.
• Manage schedules by reviewing upcoming appointments, identifying opportunities for alternate care modalities, facilitating consult tracking, and serving as backup for post-discharge calls.
• Participate in PACT meetings and use clinic tools and workflows to support continuity, coordination, and quality of care.
• Administer and document prescribed medications and treatments within applicable policies and procedures; observe and report patient responses or changes in condition.
• Recognize urgent or emergent situations, seek assistance from an RN or physician, and initiate or assist with appropriate emergency measures as directed.
• Observe and report equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies.
• Pursue educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and share new knowledge with staff.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on 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.
• Possible credit toward annual leave accrual based on qualifying prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child.
• Possible childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and program limits.
• 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 may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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