Vocational Nurse (Clearlake VA Outpatient Clinic)

Veterans Health Administration • Clearlake, CA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) at the Clearlake VA Outpatient Clinic provides direct patient care and clinical support to Veterans as part of the VA's team-based primary care model. The LVN delivers safe, compassionate, patient-centered nursing care and supports coordination of services within the PACT model. This role helps promote continuity of care, improve patient outcomes, and ensure timely access to services in a fast-paced outpatient primary care clinic.

The LVN works with physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and other interdisciplinary team members to coordinate care and support clinic operations. The position requires clinical skills, communication, teamwork, and the ability to manage multiple priorities. The full performance level is GS-6; applicants may be selected at grades GS-3 through GS-6. The position is covered by a 1- or 2-year trial period. This is an open continuous announcement through December 23, 2026, with an initial application cutoff of November 10, 2026, and subsequent cutoffs every two weeks.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and program approval. The program may provide up to $200,000 in student loan reimbursement, with an eligibility period of one to five years. The EDRP application must be submitted within four months of appointment. The position is not virtual or eligible for telework. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate state agency and/or accredited by NLNAC when the program was completed, or a stated qualifying military-training or licensure exception.
• Active, full, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated grandfathering provision for qualifying current VHA employees.
• GS-3: No experience beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-4: Six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience; or graduation from an approved school plus one year of nursing-care experience in a supervised care facility; or graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months in duration.
• GS-5: At least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent, plus demonstrated ability to provide practical nursing care, work as a responsible member of a nursing team, prepare and administer commonly prescribed medications as permitted by local policy, recognize emergencies and assist with resuscitation, and report equipment, safety, or supply issues.
• GS-6: At least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, plus demonstrated proficiency in assigned patient care, judgment in sequencing procedures and treatments, ability to assess and respond to patient needs, medication and treatment skills, emergency response knowledge, effective interaction with patients and families, support for complex diagnostic tests or specialized procedures, and continuing professional learning.
• Written and spoken English proficiency for direct patient care.
• Ability to serve a patient population ranging from adults age 18 to elderly adults age 65 and over.
• Ability to work effectively in stressful situations, remain flexible, and shift priorities based on patient needs.
• Compliance with pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• A 1- or 2-year trial period is required.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of outpatient nursing experience.

Responsibilities

• Obtain and document patient vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, oxygen saturation, height, weight, and pain assessment.
• Perform patient intake and prepare Veterans for provider examinations.
• Assist providers with physical examinations, procedures, and treatments.
• Administer medications, immunizations, and injections according to provider orders and established protocols.
• Perform wound care, dressing changes, electrocardiograms (EKGs), specimen collection, and point-of-care testing.
• Monitor patient condition and report significant changes to the Registered Nurse or provider.
• Follow infection-control practices and maintain a clean and safe clinical environment.
• Coordinate patient-care activities within the PACT team.
• Schedule follow-up appointments, diagnostic tests, and specialty referrals as directed by providers.
• Support patient-panel management by monitoring preventive-care reminders and chronic disease-management needs.
• Participate in patient telephone triage and relay patient concerns to the appropriate provider or registered nurse.
• Track laboratory results and diagnostic tests and ensure appropriate follow-up.
• Educate Veterans and family members about medications, treatments, and disease management; reinforce provider instructions and encourage participation in care plans.
• Promote preventive health measures, including vaccinations, screenings, and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Document patient care, procedures, communications, interactions, and nursing interventions accurately and timely in the electronic health record in accordance with VA policy.
• Assist with clinic-flow management to support timely care delivery.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and other interdisciplinary team members to ensure coordinated patient care.
• Recognize urgent or emergent patient-care situations, seek assistance from an RN and/or MD/DO, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Recognize and report equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, or supply deficiencies.
• Seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and share knowledge with staff to improve nursing practice.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with potential reimbursement of up to $200,000.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Child-care subsidy eligibility for qualifying full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility rules; the stated subsidy is up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, with a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• 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.
• Potential credit toward annual-leave accrual based on prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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