Vocational Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • Santa Rosa, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Vocational Nurse provides practical nursing care to patients in the San Francisco VA Health Care System. The role serves adult and older adult patients and supports primary care and other clinical services. The nurse works under the supervision of an RN or physician, as applicable, and follows established protocols, facility policies and procedures, and VHA guidelines.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and application requirements. The EDRP office determines approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years). Work hours vary between 0800 and 1630. Telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual. The full performance level is GS-6; applicants may be selected at GS-3 through GS-6.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduate of an appropriate state-approved or NLNAC-accredited practical or vocational nursing school, or meet the stated military-training or licensure exceptions.
• Active, full, current, and unrestricted LPN/LVN licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated grandfathering provision for qualifying current VHA employees.
• Meet the experience and qualification criteria for the grade sought: GS-3 requires no experience beyond the basic requirements; GS-4 requires qualifying experience, qualifying nursing-care experience, or graduation from an approved program of at least 24 months; GS-5 requires one year of qualifying experience at GS-4 or equivalent and the stated practical nursing knowledge and abilities; GS-6 requires one year of qualifying experience at GS-5 or equivalent and the stated patient-care, judgment, medication, emergency-response, communication, diagnostic-support, and continuing-learning abilities.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, submit to urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Complete background/security investigation and online onboarding requirements; provide acceptable identification for employment verification.
• Register with Selective Service if male and born after 12/31/1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete the application requirements listed in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• Serve a 1- or 2-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of Primary Care LVN/LPN experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality care to patients with multi-system problems and assist with personal care while preserving dignity, autonomy, religious preferences, and cultural values.
• Support providers with diagnostic tests and procedures by preparing patients, assisting with examinations or procedures, preparing and handling specialized instruments or equipment, and monitoring patients before, during, and after procedures.
• Prepare, administer, and document medications and treatments under supervision, including documenting patient responses.
• Measure and chart vital signs and report abnormal findings to an RN or provider.
• Evaluate and report changes in patient status and notify the preceptor.
• Follow universal precautions and infection-control policies and procedures.
• Communicate with patients, family members, caregivers, community-based services, outside providers, and organizations through secure messaging, phone calls, and face-to-face communication.
• Complete assignments according to established protocols, accepted medical service practices, San Francisco VA Healthcare System policies and procedures, and VHA guidelines.
• Recognize and promptly report patient abuse.
• Use appropriate skills to intervene with and manage potentially violent or suicidal patients.
• Use medical and psychiatric terminology and diagnoses correctly.
• Monitor patient traffic to help minimize wait times and keep providers’ daily schedules on time.
• Complete PACT scrubbing and make PACT pre-visit calls.
• Attend and participate in huddles, pre-visit planning, and team meetings.
• Complete discharge calls when needed.
• Complete nursing care activities and cover other teams’ assignments as directed.
• Recognize and report equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies; seek assistance and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and share knowledge with staff.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and approval, with a possible award of up to $200,000 over one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on 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.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy after 60 days for eligible full-time employees, subject to income and other eligibility requirements; up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, capped at $416.66 per month.
• 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 can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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