Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse-Outpatient Surgery Clinics

Veterans Health Administration • Aurora, CO

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) provides practical nursing care in the Eastern Colorado Healthcare System’s outpatient Surgery/Specialty Clinics, serving adult and elderly Veterans with varied medical and surgical needs. Patients may require ambulatory specialty care, emergency care, pre- or post-operative care, surgical care, long-term care, and behavioral health care, and may have multiple chronic conditions. The nurse works as part of the Interventional Service Surgery/Specialty Clinics within Patient Care Services and supports the mission and values of the VA and ICARE.

The LPN/LVN performs assigned duties to promote quality health care, positive customer service, and a safe, therapeutic, patient-centered environment. The nurse provides care within their licensure, functional level, and Healthcare System policies, using standardized procedures under the general supervision of a Registered Nurse or provider. Health promotion and patient teaching may be performed independently after competency validation.

The position requires flexibility in schedule and assignments. The stated schedule is 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., four 10-hour shifts. A compressed schedule is available. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. The full performance level is GS-6; the selection grade may range from GS-3 to GS-6.

Requirements

• Graduate from a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate state agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission at the time of completion.
• Hold full, active, current, and unrestricted LPN/LVN licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Meet the applicable grade-level experience and competency requirements. GS-3 has no requirements beyond the basic requirements; GS-4 requires qualifying experience or qualifying education; GS-5 requires at least one year of qualifying experience at GS-4 level or equivalent and specified nursing competencies; GS-6 requires at least one additional year of qualifying experience at GS-5 level or equivalent and full GS-5 performance requirements, plus specified competencies.
• Demonstrate nursing knowledge and ability appropriate to the selected grade, including patient assessment and observation, medication administration, documentation, patient education, emergency response, customer service, and safe nursing practice.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Meet pre-employment conditions including applicable drug screening, background/security investigation, onboarding and identification requirements, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Complete a one- or two-year trial period if appointed.
• Meet the physical demands associated with nursing duties, which may include prolonged walking, standing, or sitting; moderate lifting; repeated bending or kneeling; and assisting patients using safe patient-handling and mobility protocols.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of LPN experience.
• Podiatry experience.
• Outpatient clinical experience.
• PAVE certification.
• Outpatient surgery clinic experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical nursing care to patients in outpatient Surgery/Specialty Clinics, adapting care to patient conditions and needs.
• Use judgment to select the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, and recognize, report, and record relevant patient information.
• Educate patients and/or family members about medications, prescribed treatment regimens, and acute and chronic disease management.
• Interact and collaborate with patients, family members, providers, and other personnel involved in patient care.
• Prepare, administer, and document commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous medications as permitted by local policy; observe and document patient responses and report changes in condition.
• Document observations, treatments, and nursing care in the computer record.
• Recognize urgent or emergency situations, initiate appropriate emergency measures, promptly seek assistance from an RN or provider, and assist with resuscitation procedures as appropriate.
• Recognize and report equipment breakage or malfunction, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies.
• Assist with complex diagnostic tests and specialized procedures, including preparing patients, assisting with examinations, handling specialized instruments or equipment, and monitoring patients before, during, and after procedures.
• Maintain a safe, therapeutic, patient-centered environment and respect patient and family privacy and dignity.
• Work as a nursing team member within the scope of practice and applicable policies and procedures.
• Orient, educate, and train less experienced LPNs/LVNs or nursing assistants/health technicians where applicable to the grade and duties.
• Seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and share relevant learning with staff.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 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.
• Potential annual leave accrual credit based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Potential childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility criteria.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a 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