Practical Nurse/ Vocational Nurse - Specialty Care

Veterans Health Administration • Gainesville, FL

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The LPN/LVN supports the medical center’s philosophy, mission, and values and the objectives of the nursing profession. The role participates in developing patient-centered care plans and establishing patient care standards. The nurse collaborates with patients, families, and the interprofessional team to identify problems and develop goals, outcomes, and plans of care. The LPN/LVN implements established teaching plans and reinforces patient and family education.

The position performs clinical and administrative work in specialty care, including patient data intake, suicide risk screening, secure-message responses, patient tracking, telephone and in-person triage support, and preparation of schedules and charts for the following day. The nurse uses approved nursing protocols to enter orders, operates the computerized patient record and bar-coded medication administration systems, and prepares rooms and equipment for sterile procedures in accordance with reusable medical device policies. The LPN/LVN may precept and train less experienced staff and is expected to adapt to changing demands and function independently within the scope of the role.

This is a permanent, non-virtual position with a Monday–Friday schedule from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The full-performance level is GS-6; selection may be made at GS-3 through GS-6. The position requires a full, active, current, unrestricted practical or vocational nursing license and graduation from an approved practical or vocational nursing program, subject to stated exceptions. Candidates must meet the qualifications for the grade selected. The work includes direct patient care and may involve prolonged walking, standing, or sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, and kneeling.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Graduation from an approved practical or vocational nursing school, subject to the listed education exceptions.
• Full, active, current, unrestricted LPN/LVN licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, or eligibility under the stated grandfathering provision.
• Meet the experience and competency requirements for the grade sought: GS-3 has no additional requirements beyond the basic requirements; GS-4 requires qualifying experience or an eligible education pathway; GS-5 requires at least one year of qualifying experience at GS-4 or equivalent and the stated practical nursing competencies; GS-6 requires at least one additional year of qualifying experience at GS-5 or equivalent and the stated competencies.
• Pass required pre-employment screening, including urinalysis for positions designated for testing, background/security investigation, and a physical evaluation/examination.
• Comply with the Department of Veterans Affairs seasonal influenza vaccination program requirement.
• Provide resume work history with job titles, duties, hours worked per week, and employment start and end dates in month/year format; complete all application requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Meet physical demands associated with direct patient care, potentially including prolonged walking, standing, or sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of direct patient care experience.
• IV certification.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with patients, families, and the interprofessional team to identify problems and develop goals, outcomes, and patient-centered plans of care.
• Implement established teaching plans and provide or reinforce patient and family education.
• Interact appropriately with patients, families, professionals, and support personnel while applying established customer service standards.
• Enter orders under approved nursing protocols in response to identified patient needs, including laboratory tests and procedures such as EKGs and chest X-rays.
• Use the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Bar-Coded Medication Administration (BCMA) software according to policy.
• Review and prepare charts and schedules for the following day with minimal supervision.
• Perform clinical and administrative functions, including completing the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale, conducting patient data intakes, answering secure messages, tracking patients, and preparing schedules.
• Prepare rooms and equipment for sterile procedures and follow reusable medical device policies for instrumentation and scope handling.
• Assist with triage of patient telephone calls, messages, and face-to-face visits.
• Adapt to changing work demands and multiple assignments.
• Orient, educate, and train less experienced LPNs/LVNs or other staff in support duties as a preceptor.
• Recognize and respond to changes in patient condition, report relevant observations, and seek assistance or initiate emergency measures as appropriate to qualifications and policies.
• Perform other related duties as needed or assigned by the Nurse Manager.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, consisting of 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Selected applicants may qualify for additional annual leave accrual credit based on prior work or military service, subject to 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 for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and 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: High school or GED