Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Colorado Springs, CO is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) to provide patient care in a VA clinic setting. The role involves nursing tasks, patient assessment, and education within the VA healthcare system.

The LPN/LVN will be responsible for monitoring patient conditions, administering medications, documenting care, and coordinating with RNs and physicians to ensure quality, veteran-centered care in a supportive clinical environment.

Qualifications

• Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Responsibilities

• Provides a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.
• Evaluates patients in the clinic setting by obtaining symptoms, observing condition, and response to treatments and medications.
• Documents information in patient records and reports significant deviations to the RN or provider.
• Provides education to patients and/or family members about disease processes, medications, and treatment plans.
• Performs CPR when indicated and coordinates duties related to clinic operations such as ordering and maintaining supplies and medications.

Education

Graduate of a practical or vocational nursing program approved by state agency/NLNAC

Job description

Summary

This position is located at VA Eastern Colorado Health Care | Veterans Affairs | PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic in Colorado Springs - CO. 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.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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
• Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)] at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Licensure: 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
• English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] spoken and written English
• GRADE DETERMINATION In addition to the basic requirements - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS-06 Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent - fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN
• Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions
• to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments
• and to accurately recognize - report and record relevant patient information
• Ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs for care - including medication - equipment-assisted care and patient/family education
• In organizing and delivering care - the LPN recognizes and considers emotional - cultural - spiritual - socio-economic - and age-related factors
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments - promptly and accurately documenting noted changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations - seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO - and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations - and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients - family members - and other staff
• Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships - communication and socialization skills
• Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery
• Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and/or other internal/external customers
• Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures - which include preparing the patient - assisting in the diagnostic examination - preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment - and monitoring the patient's condition before - during - and following the procedure
• Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Preferred Experience: One (1) year LPN and Primary Care experience preferred.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT - applications will be accepted until 04-Dec-2026 or until vacancies are filled
• Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available
• VA offers a Comprehensive Total Rewards package: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
• Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf
• This position is located at VA Eastern Colorado Health Care | Veterans Affairs | PFC Floyd K
• Lindstrom Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic in Colorado Springs - CO
• The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) GS-6 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
• Duties include but are not limited to: The LPN/LVN GS-6 is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice
• Technically proficient in initiating - performing - and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patents' conditions
• to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments
• and to accurately recognize - report and record relevant patient information
• The incumbent provides a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Is able to perform routine evaluation of patients while in the clinic setting by obtaining current symptoms and complaints - observing the patient's condition - behavior - and response to treatments and/or medications
• Documents appropriate information in the patient record and reports and significant deviations to the RN and/or provider
• Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and/or prescribed treatment regimes
• Recognizes the need for and institutes cardiopulmonary resuscitation measures when indicated in accordance with established medical center policy and procedure
• Independently performs coordinating duties related to the operation of the clinic such as ordering and maintaining supplies and medications and obtaining patient data
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
• Performs other assignments designated by the RN or clinic providers which are essential to patient care and appropriate personnel for corrective action
• Performs other assignments designated by the RN or clinic providers which are essential to patient care and appropriate to the incumbent's level of training
• Uses motivational interviewing techniques to guide patients to establish goals
• The incumbent practices within their nursing scope of practice and functional level - demonstrating and promoting the mission Of the VA and ICARE values
• Set up or reprocess Reusable Medical Equipment as applicable for all equipment for which you have been trained
• Work Schedule: Full-time | Monday to Friday | 8:00am am to 4:30pm Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 554-99264-FS
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.