Licensed Vocational Nurse - Emergency Department - Intermittent

Veterans Health Administration • Los Angeles, CA

26d • Onsite

About The Position

The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is recruiting two intermittent Licensed Vocational Nurses for the West Los Angeles campus Emergency Department. LVNs provide safe, patient-centered nursing care, perform technical nursing duties within their scope of practice and validated competencies, and support the interdisciplinary team in delivering quality care to Veterans. Intermittent employees do not have a regular recurring schedule; hours vary from week to week based on service needs.

The position supports Emergency Department patient care and operations, including assessments, monitoring, clinical procedures, medication administration under supervision, assistance during urgent and emergent events, patient flow, documentation, communication, and infection prevention. The full-performance level is GS-06, and selection may be at GS-03 through GS-06.

This is an intermittent appointment, with day and night shifts available. Day shift options are 7 a.m.–3 p.m., 7 a.m.–5 p.m., and 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; night shift options are 7 p.m.–3 a.m., 7 p.m.–5 a.m., and 7 p.m.–7 a.m. Weekends and holidays are included. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position.

Applicants must meet applicable citizenship, English proficiency, education or training, and licensure requirements. The role requires a full, active, current, unrestricted LPN or LVN license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, and graduation from an approved practical or vocational nursing program or qualifying military health care education or training. Grade-specific experience and competency requirements apply.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Graduation from a practical or vocational nursing program approved by the appropriate state accrediting agency and/or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing at the time of completion, or qualifying health care education or training in military service.
• Full, active, current, and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Grade-specific qualifications: GS-3 requires no experience beyond basic requirements; GS-4 requires six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience, or an approved nursing school graduation plus one year of qualifying nursing care work, or graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration; GS-5 requires one year at GS-4 or equivalent qualifying experience and the stated competencies; GS-6 requires one year at GS-5 or equivalent qualifying experience, meeting GS-5 performance requirements, and technical proficiency in assigned duties across variable patient populations.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation and, for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions, urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete the online onboarding process and required application documentation.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Physical ability to lift, push, and pull up to 35 pounds; walk, stand, stoop, bend, and kneel intermittently for up to 4–6 hours; push intermittently for up to 4–5 hours; reach above the shoulder; and carry up to 15 pounds.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Responsibilities

• Perform focused nursing assessments and promptly report changes in patient condition, abnormal findings, pain levels, and concerns to the RN and/or licensed provider.
• Obtain, monitor, document, and communicate vital signs, oxygen saturation, blood glucose levels, pain assessments, weights, and other patient data.
• Provide direct patient care, including assistance with activities of daily living, hygiene, positioning, mobility, comfort measures, and skin integrity support.
• Collect specimens and assist with diagnostic testing according to established policies and procedures.
• Monitor patient responses to treatments and promptly report changes in condition.
• Assist the RN and healthcare team during urgent and emergent situations, including resuscitation, trauma care, and airway management support.
• Perform clinical procedures within LVN scope of practice and validated competencies, including EKGs, wound care, dressing changes, Foley catheter insertion and removal, and point-of-care testing.
• Perform phlebotomy and initiate IV access when competency validated and authorized by facility policy.
• Administer medications through approved routes under RN and/or provider supervision, monitor therapeutic and adverse effects, and document administration accurately.
• Prepare treatment rooms with necessary equipment and supplies.
• Assist with triage by obtaining initial vital signs, collecting patient information, and preparing patients for provider evaluation.
• Support patient flow by assisting with admissions, transfers, discharges, and patient transport.
• Assist in care and monitoring of behavioral health patients by implementing safety precautions, supporting de-escalation, and maintaining one-to-one observation as directed.
• Maintain readiness of emergency equipment and supplies, including crash carts, airway equipment, trauma supplies, splints, and PPE.
• Document nursing assessments, interventions, treatments, patient responses, and education accurately and timely in the electronic health record, in compliance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and legal standards.
• Communicate and coordinate care with RNs, providers, EMS, technicians, clerical staff, and ancillary departments.
• Participate in interdisciplinary huddles, rounds, debriefings, quality improvement activities, and critical event reviews.
• Follow infection prevention standards, including standard precautions, isolation protocols, and proper use of PPE.
• Promote a safe environment by following safe patient handling practices, identifying safety risks, and promptly reporting hazards or patient safety concerns.

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, 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 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.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify after 60 days for a childcare subsidy, subject to income and other eligibility requirements.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed