Practical Nurse

Diversity Group; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Federal retirement benefits

Healthcare benefits

Job summary

Kansas City VA Medical Center is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse to provide patient care for Veterans. The role emphasizes medication administration, education, and coordination with RNs/MDs in a supervised setting.

Responsibilities include direct nursing care, documentation, and participation in team huddles to improve outcomes, with a focus on safety, privacy, and compassionate service.

Qualifications

• US citizenship required or as per VA policy
• GS-3 to GS-6 progression with increasing responsibilities
• Ability to perform nursing duties under supervision and guidance
• Proficient in medication administration and patient care in clinical settings
• Ability to educate patients and families on treatments and care plans
• Preceptor role for training less experienced staff
• Knowledge of emergency procedures and reporting changes in patient condition

Responsibilities

• Provide practical nursing care to patients under RN/MD supervision
• Administer prescribed medications and document actions and responses
• Educate patients and families about diseases, medications, and treatments
• Assist in diagnostic tests and procedures and prepare, position, and drape patients
• Maintain patient safety, privacy, and comfort, and report equipment issues
• Document clinical interactions and coordinate with the health care team
• Participate in huddles and team meetings to improve care delivery
• Support care coordination and patient advocacy

Skills

Medication administration

Nursing assessment

Patient education

Emergency response

Team collaboration

Education

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) licensure

Job description

Summary

This position is located at the Kansas City VA Medical Center. 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. Performs within this functional statement under frequent guidance of the Nurse Manager or designee. Assigned tasks require basic technical competence and skill.

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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade.GS-03 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-04 Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN;ORGraduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) 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;ORGraduation 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 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• 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
• 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-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
• 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 a 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 - 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: 1 year of surgery or 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• This is an open continuous announcement until December 31 - 2026
• Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available
• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The LPN/LVN is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice
• Knowledge of nursing principles - practices - and procedures specific to the designated patient population
• Knowledge of disease entities of the patient population to enable him/her to provide patient/family education in an individualized manner to facilitate an understanding of discharge or continuing care needs/plans
• Skills to use equipment - supplies and materials for the purpose of delivering care to the designated population as outlined in the unit specific competency record
• Knowledge and skill in pharmacology required for the administration of prescribed medications and/or intravenous therapy and the observation of desired action or adverse events related to administration
• Ability to recognize deviations from normal and respond effectively and efficiently in urgent or emergent situations
• Appropriate Documentation of all clinical interactions as part of visits - phone calls or secure messaging
• Assists and/or completes minor procedures - including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment - positioning patient - ensuring comfort and privacy - obtaining and labeling laboratory specimens - preparing clinical rooms for use
• Patient education including but not limited to glucometer - blood pressure machines - wound care and catheter care
• Assists the team in managing the completion of all outside correspondence in a timely manner
• Actively participates in huddles or team meetings to coordinate work and improve care delivery
• Facilitates customer Service and patient advocacy
• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: M-F 0700-1530 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
• Preferred Experience: Clinic or Surgical