Licensed Vocational Nurse - PACT

Veterans Health Administration • Monterey, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) position supports the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). The LVN provides comprehensive practical nursing care, including treatments, procedures, and patient education. Duties involve rooming patients, taking vitals, administering medications, assisting with minor procedures, and documenting in electronic health records. The role requires strong clinical skills, teamwork, and the ability to handle a high volume of patients. The LVN demonstrates the ability to balance many competing demands and sets priorities effectively, while supporting multiple providers. Has the knowledge and ability to appropriately carry-out assigned patient care based on patients' conditions. Demonstrates competency in dealing with a high volume of patients with chronic disease. Completed work requires a general review by Registered Nurse for appropriateness and conformity with established policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents ).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant.
• Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia.
• Proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• GS-3 Licensed Vocational Nurse : None beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-4 Licensed Vocational Nurse: a) Six (6) months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or b) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration; or c) Graduation from an approved school and one year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures.
• GS-5 Licensed Vocational Nurse: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-04 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment and fully meets all of the performance requirements for the GS-04 LPN/LVN:
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.
• Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery.
• Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice.
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures.
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest.
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
• Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO.
• Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review.
• GS-6 Licensed Vocational Nurse: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-05 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment and fully meets all of the performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN:
• Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
• Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and to accurately recognize, report and record relevant patient information.
• Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education.
• In organizing and delivering care, the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors.
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures.
• Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO.
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations and the ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members and other staff.
• Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills.
• Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery.
• Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which include preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, and monitoring the patient's condition before, during, and following the procedure.

Nice To Haves

• One (1) year of ambulatory care clinic experience
• Current Basic Life Support provider card

Responsibilities

• Has knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures
• Provides quality care to patients with multi-system problems, including acutely- and chronically ill patients
• Promptly recognizes emergent patient care situations and/or subtle changes in patient status and reports to RN or provider.
• Demonstrate self-direction in prioritizing and completing assignments
• Assists PACT teams with post discharge calls, health coaching, and patient goal setting
• Observes, identifies, and responds to patients' needs for care, including medication and equipment-assisted care, and recognizes deviations from normal
• Appropriately performs, reports, and documents assigned nursing care in the Primary Care Clinics
• Accurately recognizes, reports, and records relevant patient information
• Actively seeks educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills
• Adheres to principles of infection control
• Assists in promoting safe work habits and is a role model for other staff in fostering safety principles and practices
• Serves as preceptor in orienting, teaching, and training less experienced LVNs and NAs/HTs

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66 .
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree