Practical Nurse- Specialty Care

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Licensed Practical Nurse to provide clinical care and supportive duties to Veterans in Gainesville, FL.

The LPN will work under RN/MD supervision, applying practical nursing skills within the scope of licensure. The role emphasizes medication administration, patient education, and coordination of care using CPRS/BCMA, with emphasis on safety, documentation, and timely communication.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship and English proficiency.
• Active, full LPN/LVN license in the U.S.
• Graduate of an approved practical/vocational nursing program.
• Ability to document and administer medications as prescribed.
• Ability to recognize emergencies and coordinate with RN/MD.

Responsibilities

• Assist with care coordination for high-risk patients under supervision.
• Use CPRS and BCMA for orders and medication administration.
• Prepare and conduct post-visit follow-ups and scheduling tasks.
• Mentor less experienced staff and provide patient education.
• Perform a wide range of clinical and administrative duties daily.

Skills

LPN licensure

Clinical care

Medication administration

Communication

Education

LPN/LVN license

Tools

CPRS

BCMA

Job description

Summary

We are looking for a dynamic Licensed Practical Nurse to performs a wide range of clinical care and supportive duties. The nurse must demonstrate basic practical nursing knowledge and the skills necessary to carry out practical nursing care assignments within the scope of their education and licensure.

Summary

We are looking for a dynamic Licensed Practical Nurse to performs a wide range of clinical care and supportive duties. The nurse must demonstrate basic practical nursing knowledge and the skills necessary to carry out practical nursing care assignments within the scope of their education and licensure.

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
• 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)
• 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 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 Individual 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
• 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 stated above - 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-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
• OR Graduation 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
• OR Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Preferred Qualificaions: Demonstrated ability to solve problems and function independently Completion of 2 years direct patient care experience IV certification preferred 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: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 LPN/LVN physical standards.

Duties

• The LPN is a key member of Specialty Care can provide clear communication - build relationships with patients - families - and team members to deliver comprehensive care to veterans
• The LPN is considered a novice and performs within this functional statement under close supervision of the Nurse Manager or designee
• Duties include but are not limited to: The LPN/LVN actively assists with care coordination and communicates the needs of high-risk patients to the team
• Uses the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) - and Bar-Coded Medication Administration (BCMA) - software per policy
• Facilitate clinic check-out and follow-up visits by reviewing post-visit needs
• Enters orders using the approved Nursing Protocols (Hold to Sign) in response to identified patient needs
• Orders may include labs - procedures such as EKGs - and Chest X-rays
• Performs a wide range of clinical and administrative functions daily - including but not limited to conducting patient data intakes - and answering secure messages - multi-level patient tracking - schedule preparation (scrubbing) - and reinforcing patient education
• Independently complete chart and scheduling reviews for the following day (scrubbing) and be able to mentor other team members with administrative duties
• Provides instructions to patients with pre-and post-procedures - diagnostic tests - and takes an active role in promoting Whole Health practices
• Demonstrates knowledge - skills - and the ability to promptly recognize and intervene in potentially urgent or emergent situations
• Recognizes - reports - and documents significant and subtle changes
• Serves as a role model and preceptor - actively seeks educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - including certification
• Expected to exercise independent technical judgments in decision making without readily available supervision - and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles - art and science of practical nursing
• This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments
• Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or others related to support duties
• Performs other duties as assigned
• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm 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 eligible for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 55697F - 55698F - 55699F - 55700F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service
• The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees
• The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position
• For more information - refer to Required Documents below
• If you are a current federal employee - you are required to attach your Most Recent non-award SF-50
• This should be SF-50 from the current calendar year which shows your current position - grade and step
• Award SF-50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted.