Practical Nurse Outpatient Specialty- Ambulatory

Veterans Health Administration • Wytheville, VA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Practical Nurse provides outpatient specialty and ambulatory nursing care to Veterans, promoting quality health care, positive customer service, and an environment focused on serving Veterans. The nurse observes and responds to Veterans’ care needs, taking into account emotional, cultural, spiritual, socioeconomic, and age-related factors. Duties and level of responsibility vary by grade (GS-5 or GS-6), with completed work generally supervised by an RN or medical provider.

The nurse administers prescribed medications and treatments according to established policies and procedures; monitors and documents responses and changes in condition; and reports deviations or situations requiring higher-level care. The role also supports minor procedures, performs ear irrigations, handles reusable medical equipment, checks expiration dates, and tracks completion of Veterans’ Fecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT), with a goal of greater than 90% compliance for assigned Veteran panels. View alerts must be addressed and documented within the nurse’s scope of practice, preferably by the end of the shift and within 24 hours.

This is a permanent federal position with a Monday–Friday schedule from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The position is not eligible for telework or relocation assistance. It is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and program approval; awards may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years. The full performance level is GS-6, and selection may be at GS-5 or GS-6.

Requirements

• Graduate of a practical or vocational nursing program approved by the appropriate state agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission when completed.
• Full, active, current, and unrestricted LPN/LVN licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• GS-5: At least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.
• GS-5: Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a range of practical nursing care to patients with varied physical and/or behavioral problems.
• GS-5: Ability to work as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact appropriately with patients, families, and care-team personnel.
• GS-5: Knowledge and skill in preparing, administering, and documenting commonly prescribed medications within approved local policies and procedures, including reporting changes in patient condition.
• GS-5: Ability to recognize when emergency measures are needed, promptly seek assistance, and assist with resuscitation procedures during cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest.
• GS-5: Work is performed under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO.
• GS-6: At least one additional year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting GS-5 performance requirements.
• GS-6: Technical proficiency in initiating, performing, and completing assigned patient-care duties for variable patient populations.
• GS-6: Ability to use judgment in selecting the order and sequence of procedures and treatments and to accurately recognize, report, and record relevant patient information.
• GS-6: Ability to perform support duties for complex diagnostic tests or specialized procedures and monitor patients before, during, and after procedures.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation/examination and background/security investigation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated VA position are subject to urinalysis before appointment.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must complete the required online onboarding and application documentation.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment upon completion.

Nice To Haves

• Highly motivated and experienced in an outpatient setting.
• Experience multitasking.
• Telehealth experience.
• Phlebotomy experience.
• Experience providing Veteran-centric care with a professional demeanor.
• Current VHA employees in this occupation who meet the stated criteria may qualify under the grandfathering provision.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical nursing care to Veterans and promote quality care and positive customer service.
• Observe, identify, and respond to Veterans’ needs, including medication, equipment-assisted care, and Veteran/family education.
• Consider emotional, cultural, spiritual, socioeconomic, and age-related factors when organizing and delivering care.
• Prepare and administer prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications and perform treatments according to established policies and procedures.
• Observe for physical or emotional changes related to medications or treatments, document findings promptly and accurately, and report deviations from normal to the RN or provider.
• Recognize urgent or emergent care situations, seek assistance from the RN and/or provider, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Respond to and document view alerts within scope of practice, preferably by the end of the shift and within 24 hours; collect pertinent data and seek a higher level of care when needed.
• Document observations, treatments, procedures, and Veterans’ responses in CPRS.
• Check expiration dates of medications and supplies.
• Assist with minor procedures by obtaining and arranging equipment, positioning the Veteran, ensuring comfort and privacy, and monitoring the Veteran during the procedure.
• Perform ear irrigations.
• Track and complete Veterans’ Fecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT), aiming for greater than 90% compliance for assigned Veteran panels.
• Handle and pre-clean reusable medical equipment properly.
• Recognize equipment breakage or malfunction, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, and report them to appropriate personnel.
• Support complex diagnostic tests or specialized procedures by preparing the patient, assisting with the examination, handling specialized instruments or equipment, and monitoring the patient before, during, and after the procedure.
• Build respectful relationships with Veterans and families, protect privacy and dignity, and apply customer-service standards.
• Orient, educate, and train less experienced LPNs/LVNs or nursing assistants/health technicians as applicable to grade-level duties.
• Seek educational opportunities and share new knowledge with staff to advance nursing practice.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of one to five years.
• Competitive salary with regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Selected applicants may qualify for 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, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family income and other program 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 programs may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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