Licensed Practical Nurse- Ambulatory Care (PACT)

Veterans Health Administration • Ann Arbor, MI

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is aligned under Ambulatory Care Services and assigned to various Primary Acute Care Teams (PACT) and/or Sub-Specialty Clinics. The official duty station is the Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The LPN is a member of the care team and performs assigned nursing duties under general review by an RN for appropriateness and conformity with the LPN’s license, policies, and procedures. The role supports quality health care, positive customer service, and an environment committed to serving veterans.

The LPN provides technical nursing care, including direct patient care, patient intake, vital signs, ordered treatments, phlebotomy, medication administration, clinical reminders, testing, documentation, patient education, and support for minor procedures. The position also involves quality-metric tracking and patient outreach, medication reconciliation, inventory checks, and routine checks of emergency and testing equipment.

Work schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling, telework, and virtual work are not available. Sign-on bonus and relocation assistance are not authorized. The position is permanent, and the full-performance level is GS-06; selection may be at GS-03 through GS-06.

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 a state-approved or NLNAC-accredited practical or vocational nursing program, or qualifying military training or the stated licensure-jurisdiction exception.
• Active, full, current, and unrestricted LPN or LVN licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated grandfathering provision for qualifying current VHA employees.
• Meet the qualification criteria for the selected grade, GS-03 through GS-06. GS-04 qualification pathways include six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience; approved schooling plus one year of qualifying nursing-care experience; or graduation from an approved program of at least 24 months. GS-05 and GS-06 require the knowledge, skills, and abilities specified for those grades.
• Ability to provide practical nursing care, work as a responsible member of a nursing team, and interact appropriately with patients, families, and care personnel.
• Knowledge and skill to prepare, administer, and document commonly prescribed medications and to observe, document, and report patient responses and changes in condition.
• Ability to recognize and respond to emergencies, equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies.
• Ability to organize and deliver patient care, recognize patient needs, perform treatments, and provide patient and family education while considering emotional, socioeconomic, and age-related factors.
• Ability to maintain patient privacy and dignity, build constructive relationships, and apply customer-service standards.
• Must comply with pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, online onboarding, identification, and application-document requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment after the period.
• Physical ability to perform the described duties, including standing, walking, bending, lifting, transferring and repositioning patients, and other physical demands.

Nice To Haves

• Minimum one to two years of current Primary Care (PACT) experience.
• Clinical experience caring for patients in Ambulatory Care.
• Ability to work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to document using an electronic medical record.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care and room patients; complete clinic reminders, obtain vital signs, and perform treatments ordered by the primary care provider.
• Perform outpatient blood draws and phlebotomy.
• Support LPN clinics, including Toenail Clinic and Immunization Clinic.
• Track quality and population-health metrics and implement strategies to address fallouts through patient outreach or team collaboration.
• Follow up on colorectal, breast cancer, and cervical cancer screening metrics and immunizations.
• Perform check-ins for the Integrative Pain Provider eight days per month.
• Administer oxygen therapy and medications.
• Complete clinical reminders and initiate appropriate consults and alerts.
• Ensure medications and supplies are not expired and remove expired items from inventory.
• Perform delegated procedures and treatments accurately.
• Assist with minor procedures by obtaining and arranging equipment, positioning patients, and ensuring comfort and privacy.
• Perform EKGs, lab draws and pre-processing, lab quality monitoring, and point-of-care testing.
• Collect data and document interventions from patient visits in the applicable nursing note.
• Reinforce patient and family health education, including self-management, prevention, and wellness, through health coaching and other methods.
• Assist with medication reconciliation and notify the provider of changes.
• Measure and record vital signs and enter them in CPRS.
• Apply skin tests and measure and document results.
• Perform visual acuity tests and monofilament exams.
• Close encounters daily.
• Check the crash cart and AED according to facility policy.
• Complete the blood glucose meter check daily, as applicable.
• Observe, document, and report patient condition changes, medication responses, and relevant patient information.
• Recognize urgent or emergent situations and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Support complex diagnostic tests or specialized procedures, including preparing patients, handling specialized instruments or equipment, and monitoring patients before, during, and after procedures.
• May serve as a preceptor for less experienced LPNs/LVNs or nursing assistants/health technicians in support duties for complex tests and procedures.
• Seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and share relevant learning with staff.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility depends on the type of position and other applicable factors.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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