Licensed Practical Nurse - Outpatient Surgery Clinics

Veterans Health Administration; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 44,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration seeks a Licensed Practical Nurse/License Vocational Nurse to support surgical teams, manage a patient panel, and assist across related clinical areas as competence allows. The role emphasizes quality care, strong customer service, and a patient-centered environment within the VA system.

Candidates should hold a valid LPN/LVN license in the United States and meet education requirements, including program accreditation or accepted military nursing education, with

Qualifications

• Graduate of a practical or vocational nursing program approved by the state or ACEN/NLNAC accreditation at completion.
• Military nursing education accepted by the licensing jurisdiction may be considered.
• VHA employees may be grandfathered under VA qualification standards if criteria are met.
• Current, full, active, unrestricted LPN/LVN license in a US state or DC.

Responsibilities

• Perform assigned LPN/LVN duties in the surgical care setting to support quality care and customer service.
• Work with surgical teams to manage a patient panel and may cross-cover in other clinical areas as competency allows.
• Document actions taken, monitor patient responses to care, and report changes to RN/MD as required.

Skills

Medication administration

Education

Practical or vocational nursing program

Military nursing education accepted by licensing body

VA conversion under Public Law 98-160 / 99-576

License by a US jurisdiction

Job description

The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. The LPN/LVN works alongside the surgical teams to manage a panel of patients across the surgical specialty care setting. He/she may be assigned to cross cover in other clinical areas within his/her competency level.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Education

• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), at the time the program was completed.
• OR Health care education obtained in the military service or training in the military service which was accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which you are licensed.
• OR Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986.
• OR Granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.

Licensure

• possess a full, active, current, and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia.
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations

• GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g., medication administration); however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved.
• GS-4: At least six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN. At this level LPN/LVNs are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques.
• OR Graduate of an approved school AND one year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures.
• OR Graduate from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
• GS-5: At least one year of qualifying experience equivalent to the GS-4 level under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO that has provided you with the following items below.
• Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures; however, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.
• Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery.
• Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of patient care and incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice.
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous medications.
• This includes observing and documenting patient responses to medication and reporting noted changes in the patient's condition to RN or MD/DO.
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to ins