Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse-Outpatient Surgery Clinics

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Federal retirement benefits

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is seeking a Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) to provide direct patient care and support within our care environments for Veterans.

Candidates must meet basic nursing program education, active LPN/LVN licensure, English proficiency, and eligibility for grandfathering if applicable. The role emphasizes safety, teamwork, and compassionate care in a structured federal setting.

Qualifications

• United States citizenship as required for VA employment.
• Graduate of an approved practical or vocational nursing program.
• Full, active, current LPN/LVN license in a U.S. state or D.C.
• English language proficiency for patient care positions.
• Eligibility under VA grandfathering provisions if applicable.
• GS-3 to GS-6 progression with increasing responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide a full range of practical nursing care under supervision.
• Administer prescribed medications and document responses.
• Assist in patient education and discharge planning as appropriate.
• Collaborate with RNs and MDs to ensure safe, effective care.
• Maintain a safe, patient-centered environment within policy.

Skills

English proficiency

LPN/LVN license

Patient care

Education

Practical or vocational nursing program

Job description

Summary

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 [accredited by] the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)] at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission] - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006
• [Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website
• Exceptions include:] 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 as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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-03: None beyond basic requirements
• GS-04: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR - Graduation from an approved school and one year of experience
• OR - Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level
• however - they are expected to exercise greater judgment - require less supervision - and to operate in accordance with all established policies - procedure - and techniques
• GS-05: Requires at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• In addition the following criteria must be met: 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 with patients - family members - professional and supportive personnel 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
• 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: Requires at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN
• In addition the following criteria must be met: 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
• Preferred Experience: Minimum one year of LPN experience
• Preferred: podiatry experience - outpatient clinical experience - PAVE certification a plus - outpatient surgery clinic experience
• 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Please see additional information

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The LPN/LVN 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 Surgery/Specialty LPN practices within Patient Care Services for the Interventional Service Surgery/Specialty Clinics Eastern Colorado Healthcare System and supports the mission and vision of Patient Care Services and the Healthcare System
• He/she performs a variety of supportive - nursing - and medical tasks necessary to care for patients outpatient Surgical/Specialty care appointments
• Surgery/Specialty Clinics serve adult and elderly Veterans with a variety of medical and surgical specialty needs which include ambulatory specialty care - emergency care - collaboration with numerous providers within specialty care - pre- and/or post-operative care - surgical care - long term care - and behavioral health care
• Patients often present with multiple chronic medical conditions
• The Surgery/Specialty LPN provides a full range of practical nursing care for Surgery/Specialty care
• provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to medication - prescribed treatment regimens - and acute and chronic disease management
• interacts with patients - family members - professional and other supportive personnel involved in delivery of patient care
• prepares - administers - and appropriately documents actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular - and intravenous medications as permitted by approved local policy
• documents all observations - treatments and nursing care provided in the computer record
• recognizes the need for and to institute emergency measures - when indicated - promptly seeking assistance of RN - PA/NP - or MD - recognizes - responds - and trends breakage/malfunction of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies
• assists in maintaining a safe and therapeutic patient centered environment
• He/she will function as a nursing team member within the scope of practice determined by licensure and Healthcare System policy and procedure standards
• He/she uses standardized procedures in the observation and care of the ill under general supervision of a Registered Nurse or Provider
• He/she provides health promotion and patient teaching independently after competency validation is completed
• The incumbent practices within their nursing scope of practice and functional level - demonstrating and promoting the mission of the VA and ICARE values
• This position requires flexibility in schedule and assignments
• Work Schedule: 7:00am-5:30pm (4 tens) Compressed: Available Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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 #: 56814A - 56815A - 56816A & 56817A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized