Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (Float, Outpatient Primary Care)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in San Antonio seeks a Float LVN to provide patient-centered nursing care under RN/provider supervision across multiple clinics.

Responsibilities include health screenings, vital sign collection, rooming, administering medications and immunizations, and contributing to PACT through pre-visit planning and clinic flow management.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a practical or vocational nursing program approved by the state agency and/or NLNAC accreditation
• Full, active, unrestricted LPN/LVN license in the United States
• U.S. citizenship required per VA policy
• VA qualification standards for GS-3 to GS-6 and nursing care experience expectations

Responsibilities

• Perform basic nursing care under supervision of RN/MD
• Administer medications and immunizations per policy
• Conduct health screenings and collect vital signs
• Assist in PACT pre-visit planning and clinic flow management
• Document patient responses and care provided

Skills

Clinical judgment

Patient care

Teamwork

Education

LPN/LVN diploma

State licensure

Job description

Summary

Float LVN supporting San Antonio clinics as a multi-site resource. Provides foundational - patient-centered nursing care under RN/provider supervision. Performs health screenings - vital collection - patient rooming - and medication/immunization administration. Supports PACT team through pre-visit planning - clinic flow management - and health coaching. Requires nursing judgment proportionate to grade level. Physical demands include standing - walking - moderate lifting - and direct patient assistance.

Qualifications

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 accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Exceptions include: Health care education in the military service or training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment
• VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98‑160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99‑576 - enacted October 28 - 1986
• and for their future personnel actions under this authority
• Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR Graduation from 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• In addition to that experience - candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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 ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care - 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 as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures
• Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO
• Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated - promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO - and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest
• (f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
• Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO
• 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
• GS-6: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent
• In addition to that experience - candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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
• Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures
• 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/LVN 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-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06.

Duties

• Duties include - but are not limited to the following at each grade level: GS-03 Perform routine structured/focused health screenings and basic nursing interventions under close supervision Room patients - collect vital data - complete assigned clinical reminders - and maintain clinic flow Administer medications and immunizations following established protocols Support clinical decision-making by reviewing medications/allergies and communicating findings to RN/provider Participate in PACT team operations including pre-visit planning - daily huddles - and team meetings GS-04 Perform structured/focused health screenings and basic nursing interventions with greater judgment and less supervision than GS-03 Exercise judgment in clinical decision-making by identifying urgent needs - reviewing medications/allergies - and initiating nursing protocols Manage clinic flow by rooming patients - assisting providers with procedures - and maintaining exam room readiness Conduct pre-visit planning by reviewing records - obtaining missing documentation - and preparing clinical data Contribute to schedule management and panel review - identifying opportunities for alternate care modalities GS-05 Provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with varied physical and/or behavioral problems Orient and train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and nursing assistants in relation to acceptable standards of practice Administer commonly prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular - intravenous) with appropriate observation and documentation Support clinical decision-making with broad working knowledge by identifying urgent/emergent situations and communicating key findings Manage clinic operations through pre-visit planning - patient rooming - procedure assistance - and PACT collaboration under general supervision GS-06 Demonstrate technical proficiency in initiating - performing - and completing complex diagnostic tests and specialized procedures with appropriate patient preparation and monitoring Serve as a preceptor - orienting and educating less experienced LPNs/LVNs and nursing assistants on complex - specialized procedures and support duties Use clinical judgment to select appropriate order and sequence of procedures/treatments accurately recognize - report - and record patient information Actively seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge with staff to advance nursing practice Collaborate with PACT on access - continuity - quality - and patient-experience goals - requiring only general review of work for appropriateness and policy conformity Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 99267-F (GS-3) - 99266-F (GS-4) - 99265 (GS-5) - 99264-F (GS-6) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized