Practical Nurse - Float Specialty Medicine

Veterans Health Administration • Columbus, OH

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) performs complex nursing assignments in Specialty Medicine in a float role, providing coverage and support as needed. The position requires comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices. The LPN uses Veteran care data to contribute to patients’ overall health plans, promotes nursing concepts within the Medical Center, works collaboratively with Registered Nurses and health care providers, and communicates effectively with Veterans, families, caregivers, professionals, and support staff.

The LPN performs and supports specialty clinic procedures and patient care activities, including pulmonary testing, thyroid biopsies, continuous glucose monitor and glucometer tasks, Rheumatology equipment setup, education about injectable medications, biopsies and other in-office procedures, nurse visits, phototherapy, and venipuncture. The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is not available; this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• Graduate of an approved practical or vocational nursing program, subject to the stated exceptions for qualifying military training and other specified circumstances.
• 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.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting GS-6 LPN/LVN performance requirements.
• Knowledge and skills to perform specialized patient care duties in complex inpatient and/or outpatient settings and contribute to patient care plans.
• Ability to assist an RN and/or physician in prioritizing patient care needs and adjusting care delivery plans.
• Ability to recognize subtle physical and emotional changes in patients, document care and responses accurately, and promptly report changes requiring higher-level intervention.
• Ability to assist with medication and treatment needs, administer prescribed medications and treatments according to policy, document them, and recognize and report potential drug reactions.
• Ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance, and intervene as directed.
• Ability to communicate with and support patients and families, including individuals who may be difficult to care for or communicate with.
• Ability to exercise independent technical judgment and perform complex practical nursing duties under general supervision.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to stated VA policy exceptions.
• Must pass the required pre-employment physical evaluation and background/security investigation; selected applicants are subject to the stated drug-testing and influenza-vaccination requirements.
• Must complete the required online onboarding and application documentation.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of LPN float experience.

Responsibilities

• Use Veteran care data to contribute actively to the Veteran’s overall health plan.
• Promote and demonstrate nursing concepts within the Medical Center.
• Collaborate with Registered Nurses and/or health care providers.
• Communicate effectively with Veterans, families, caregivers, professionals, and support staff.
• Complete FENO testing, pulmonary function tests, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaires when ordered.
• Assist providers with thyroid biopsies, participate in the time-out process, and ensure proper specimen collection, labeling, and transportation.
• Download continuous glucose monitor data, perform daily glucometer control tests, and conduct glucometer testing on patients.
• Set up equipment for Rheumatology procedures.
• Educate patients who are using at-home injectable medications for the first time.
• Assist providers with biopsies, Mohs procedures, and other in-office procedures, including checking and confirming orders, participating in the time-out process, numbing patients per physician order, handling specimens, cleaning procedure rooms using proper infection-control techniques, and maintaining room supplies.
• Complete nurse visits per policy, including accurate site photography in the electronic health record and phototherapy per physician orders.
• Perform venipuncture per physician orders and ensure proper specimen collection, handling, and transportation to the lab.
• Observe and document patient condition and response to care, communicate changes requiring higher-level intervention, and seek assistance as appropriate.
• Administer prescribed medications and treatments according to established policies and procedures, and document administration and patient response.
• Support safe patient care by recognizing potential urgent or emergent situations and seeking appropriate team assistance.
• Support patient and family involvement in healthy lifestyles and promote established customer service standards.
• Serve as a resource and role model for nursing staff in specialized procedures and technology, and support monitoring of non-licensed staff practice as assigned.
• Seek educational opportunities and contribute to improving nursing practice and care delivery.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a child care subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family income and other eligibility limits.
• 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.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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