Licensed Vocational Nurse - Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program

Veterans Health Administration • Menlo Park, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) provides direct practical nursing care to varied patient populations in a residential setting. The LVN uses technical proficiency and strong observation skills to initiate, perform, and complete assigned duties, and collaborates and communicates with the Mental Health Team to develop patient-aligned care plans. The role supports multiple providers and requires balancing competing demands and setting priorities.

The LVN delivers care to patients with multisystem problems, including seriously and chronically ill patients, and responds to patient needs involving medications and equipment-assisted care. The nurse recognizes changes in patient status, reports relevant findings, and seeks guidance from an RN or medical provider when needed. The position also includes preventative health screening and education for mental health patients, and performing, reporting, and recording assigned nursing care in the Mental Health HVRP/First Step Programs.

The position is not virtual. Available schedules may be 3:30 p.m. to midnight or 11:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.; work may include weekdays, weekends, and holidays depending on patient needs. The full-performance level is GS-6, and selection may be at GS-3 through GS-6. The position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Requirements

• Graduate from a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate state agency or accredited by NLNAC, unless an applicable education exception applies.
• Hold full, active, current, and unrestricted LPN or LVN licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Meet the experience or education requirements for the grade sought: GS-3 requires no experience beyond the basic requirements; GS-4 requires six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience, graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration, or an approved-school graduation plus one year of qualifying nursing-care experience; GS-5 requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-4; GS-6 requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5.
• For GS-5, demonstrate practical nursing care capability, teamwork and appropriate interaction with patients and care personnel, patient/family education, medication preparation, administration and documentation, emergency response, and recognition and reporting of equipment or safety problems.
• For GS-6, demonstrate technical proficiency in assigned nursing care, judgment in sequencing procedures and treatments, accurate recognition and reporting of patient information, responsiveness to patient needs, medication and treatment administration, recognition of urgent or emergent situations, effective patient and family relationships, respect for privacy and dignity, and support for complex tests or procedures.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including drug screening for testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, and pre-employment physical examination.
• Register with Selective Service if a male born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete the online onboarding process if selected; a probationary period may be required.
• Submit a transcript if education is being used to meet all or part of the qualifications; foreign education requires a certificate of foreign equivalency.

Responsibilities

• Use judgment to select the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments.
• Perform support duties for complex diagnostic tests and specialized practices or procedures.
• Use two patient identifiers when rooming patients, providing treatments or procedures, and obtaining specimens.
• Follow the time-out process before procedures.
• Use interactive verbal or written handoff communication that allows questions between the giver and receiver of patient information.
• Provide quality care to patients with multisystem problems, including seriously and chronically ill patients.
• Recognize, evaluate, and report urgent or emergent care situations and subtle changes in patient status; seek assistance and inform the RN or medical provider of changes.
• Initiate and participate in preventative health screenings and patient instruction, including topics such as diet and exercise, alcohol abuse, smoking cessation, immunizations, mammograms, and CDC guidelines.
• Observe, identify, and respond to patient care needs, including medication and equipment-assisted care, and recognize deviations from normal.
• Perform, report, and record assigned nursing care in the Mental Health HVRP/First Step Programs.
• Prepare and administer prescribed medications and perform treatments in accordance with established policies and procedures, as applicable to the grade and assignment.
• Document patient responses to medications and treatments and report changes or deviations from normal to the RN or medical provider.
• Recognize the need for emergency measures, promptly seek assistance, and assist with resuscitation procedures when indicated and directed.
• Recognize equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies and report them to appropriate personnel.
• Support complex diagnostic procedures by preparing patients, assisting with examinations, handling specialized instruments or equipment, and monitoring patients before, during, and after procedures.
• Provide or support patient and family education, and foster respectful relationships that protect privacy and dignity.
• Orient, educate, or train less experienced nursing staff or nursing assistants/health technicians when assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Selected applicants may request prior work or military service credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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