Licensed Practical Nurse (Primary Care)

Quick Facts

• Role: Licensed Practical Nurse (Primary Care)

• Setting: Primary Care clinic for a veteran population

• Supervision: Works under the Nurse Manager while demonstrating independent technical judgment

• Schedule: Monday–Friday (days) or based on service needs

Description

Provide independent, complex practical nursing care in a Primary Care clinic under the Nurse Manager’s supervision. Perform assessments, triage, documentation, and assist with specialized procedures while collaborating with the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) and other interdisciplinary services. Serve as a leadership resource and super user for commonly used clinic equipment to support holistic, timely, high-quality care.

Responsibilities

• Manage patient care problems and deviations according to VA Nursing Practice and LPN licensure standards
• Assess, record, and report vital signs, neurological signs, weight, and blood glucose; triage routine/urgent/emergent needs and modify care/treatment as needed
• Check patients into the clinic, interview patients/significant others, and document intake data per policy
• Use VA protocols and VHA directives for clinic management, documentation, and computer technology
• Assist with complex/specialized procedures (e.g., suture/staple removal, wound care, blood draws, ear irrigation, EKGs, nebulizer treatments, assisting with joint injection setup)
• Assist with diagnostic procedures: prepare patient, set up sterile field/instrumentation, monitor patient condition
• Follow up on abnormal results with the provider; educate patients/families on disease management and plan of care
• Collaborate with PACT and interdisciplinary services to develop and evaluate patient care
• Lead within PACT to promote holistic care and optimize clinic efficiency; mentor and support other staff’ practical nursing practice
• Act as resource/super user for clinic equipment (e.g., PYXIS, EKG, Car Lift); coordinate equipment repair/maintenance using appropriate protocols
• Coordinate clinical work assignments with RN to ensure patient needs are met; assist with staff competencies for equipment
• Provide feedback to the Nurse Manager regarding team member observations and care provided
• Assist the Nurse Manager with planning/organizing specialized unit projects (e.g., mobile flu clinic, injection clinic, walk-in clinic)
• Perform phlebotomy
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship
• Active, full, current, unrestricted LPN (Graduate Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse) license
• Graduate of an approved practical/vocational nursing program (ACEN at time of completion)
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Subject to background/security investigation; pass pre-employment physical
• Complete VA onboarding and required pre-employment documentation; may require drug testing
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program
• Selectively eligible males must be registered with Selective Service
• Physical ability to lift 30 lbs or more; stand/walk almost constantly; twist/bend
• GS-7 qualification: at least 3 years LPN experience plus at least 1 year qualifying GS-6-level experience (or equivalent), with proven independent technical judgment for complex practices/procedures

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package (health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care)
• Paid time off: 37–50 days annual paid time off per year (annual leave, sick leave, federal holidays)
• Parental leave: up to 12 weeks paid parental leave after 12 months
• Child care subsidy eligibility after 60 days (for qualifying incomes)
• Retirement: traditional federal pension (with vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contributions
• Telework: Ad Hoc; not a virtual position