Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (Laboratory)

Veterans Health Administration • Charlotte, NC

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Laboratory Licensed Practical/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN), GS-7, performs complex nursing assignments primarily in the Phlebotomy Laboratory at the Salisbury VA Health Care System. The role requires comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and advanced skills in specialized procedures, including phlebotomy and specimen management. Work is performed under general supervision, with independent technical judgment expected within the nurse’s scope of practice.

The nurse contributes to Veteran-centered care by integrating care data into health planning, collaborating with Registered Nurses and health care providers, communicating with Veterans and their families, and providing education about collection procedures and specimen requirements. The role also includes accurate electronic health record documentation, supply and equipment management, maintaining a safe and organized environment, and participating in professional development and quality improvement activities.

Requirements

• Active, full, current, and unrestricted LPN/LVN licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Graduate of an approved or accredited practical or vocational nursing program, or meet the stated military-training or licensing-jurisdiction exceptions.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• At least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-06 level or equivalent, meeting GS-06 LPN/LVN performance requirements.
• Knowledge and skills for specialized patient care duties in complex inpatient or outpatient settings.
• Ability to assist an RN or physician in prioritizing patient care and adjusting care delivery based on observations of subtle physical or emotional changes.
• Ability to assist with medications and treatments, administer prescribed care accurately, and record patient responses as applicable.
• Ability to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient-care situations.
• Ability to help patients and families take an active role in promoting health and positive outcomes.
• Communication and interpersonal skill in working with difficult-to-care-for or difficult-to-communicate-with patients and family members.
• Initiative and creativity in improving care delivery and patient or family satisfaction.
• Comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices, including the ability to serve as a resource to staff.
• Ability to support monitoring of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery.
• Ability to exercise independent technical judgment under general supervision.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to stated VA citizenship exceptions.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and required background/security investigation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must meet applicable physical standards; duties may involve prolonged walking, standing, or sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling, and use of safe patient-handling protocols.
• Must complete required application and onboarding steps and serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience in PACT, primary care, laboratory work, and phlebotomy.

Responsibilities

• Perform specialized patient care activities, including venipuncture, capillary blood draws, specimen collection and processing, and complex specimen management.
• Contribute Veteran care data to the development and implementation of evidence-based health plans.
• Perform duties in accordance with nursing program objectives and Medical Center policies, standards, and procedures.
• Apply infection-control, safety, and quality-improvement practices in the Phlebotomy Laboratory and clinic setting.
• Collaborate with Registered Nurses and health care providers to deliver coordinated, Veteran-centered care.
• Use sound clinical judgment and carry out assignments independently within scope of practice.
• Communicate with Veterans, families, caregivers, interdisciplinary team members, and support staff.
• Educate patients about collection procedures, specimen requirements, and care instructions as appropriate.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely electronic health record documentation, including incidents or variances.
• Assist with inventory and supply management and ensure equipment is maintained.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment in compliance with infection-control and safety standards.
• Participate in professional development, training, and quality-improvement initiatives.
• Perform other related duties listed in the functional statement.
• Assist RNs or physicians in prioritizing patient care, monitoring condition changes, and addressing needs for medications or treatments as applicable to the assignment.
• Recognize potential urgent or emergent patient-care situations and take appropriate action.
• Support monitoring of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery.
• Seek educational opportunities and assist other staff in advancing their nursing practice.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential 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 for qualifying birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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