Licensed Practical Nurse - Patient Aligned Care Team

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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Duties

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VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The LPN in the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) applies the PACT principles utilizing the nursing process and evidence-based practice to collaborate with the Teamlet (Patient, Primary Care Provider [PCP], Registered Nurse [RN] Care Manager, Clinical Associate, and Clerical Associate) and expanded Team (family/caregiver, internal and community-based services involved in providing care to the patient) in developing the patient-driven care plan for life. The LPN is responsible for:

• Collaborating with services, internal and external to the VA, to facilitate care transition to effectively meet the patients' needs.
• Providing patient and family health education with a focus on self-management, prevention, and wellness, based on the patient's goals.
• Demonstrating leadership by serving as an advocate for patients and a team leader with colleagues as she/he continues to enhance his/her own and the team's professional growth, development and practice.
• Providing Health Coaching to enhance the patient's wellbeing and achieve their related health-related goals, Health Promotion and Disease prevention Core Program Requirements.
• Providing Veterans Health Education and Information Core to enhance the quality of life through health promotion and disease prevention, actively partner with their health care teams and engage needed family and social support systems while developing self-management and coping skills and utilizing appropriate VHA health care resources.
• Establishing Home Telehealth monitoring using case management principles to coordinate care using health informatics, disease management, and telehealth technologies to facilitate access to care and to improve the health of Veterans to improve clinical outcomes.
• Providing personalized, proactive, patient-driven health care.
• Providing patient-driven engagement with the patient being the source of control, ensuring that their health care is based on their needs, values, and life preferences.
• Providing Veterans with ongoing health education, which spans the continuum of care from the skills and information needed to promote health and prevent disease, to the patient education needed to cope with and manage acute and chronic conditions.
• Providing clinical preventive services that include: screening for treatable diseases, conditions or health risk behaviors (e.g., cancers, mental health conditions, tobacco use); immunizations; health education (e.g., education, counseling regarding tobacco use, physical activity, nutrition, promoting health and wellness); and preventive medications (such as prescribing statins for subclinical heart disease, etc.).

Work Schedule : Monday-Friday 7:30AM to 4PM

Compressed/Flexible :Available

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact View email address on click.appcast.io, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

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 # : 50561-A, 50562-A, 50563-A, 50564-A

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: Must be a 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. 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. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions.
• 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.

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-3 Education/Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 Education/Experience: Must meet one of the following: 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 Experience: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.

GS-5 Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA's): In addition to the experience above, candidates must possess ALL of the following KSA's:

• Demonstrated knowledge & 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 & 4 interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional & other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice.
• Knowledge & skill sufficient to prepare, administer, & appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies & procedures. Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered & the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO.
• Knowledge & ability to recognize the need for & to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO & assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest.
• Recognizes & appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, & supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.

GS-6 Experience: Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN.

GS-6 Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA's): In addition to the experience listed above, candidates must possess ALL of the following KSA's:

• Technically proficient in initiating, performing & completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
• Knowledge & 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 & treatments; & to accurately recognize, report & record relevant patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness & conformity with established policies/procedures.
• Ability to observe, identify & respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care & patient/family education. In organizing and delivering care, the LPN/LVN recognizes & considers emotional, socio-economic, & age-related factors.
• Prepares & administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) & performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly & accurately documenting noted changes, & reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO.
• Knowledge & ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, & initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Knowledge & understanding of human behavior, patient motivations & reactions to situations, and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members, & other staff.
• Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients & their families to elicit feelings & attitudes, & to promote positive relationships, communication & socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient & family rights to privacy & dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge & understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers.
• Knowledge & 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 & handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, & monitoring the patient's condition before, during, & following the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, & 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 & skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve & advance nursing practice.

Preferred Experience: See under additional information.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS3 to GS6.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

Preferred Experience: Minimum of 2 years of recent LPN experience providing direct patient care in a clinically relevant setting; experience within the past 5 years preferred. Experience providing care to adult patients in a primary care, ambulatory care, or similar outpatient setting. Current experience performing outpatient clinical procedures, including immunizations/injections, medication administration, vital signs, point-of-care testing, bladder scanning/post-void residuals, ear irrigation, and specimen collection. Experience performing focus data collection, recognizing abnormal findings or changes in patient condition, and appropriately reporting or escalating concerns to the RN or provider. Knowledge and experience supporting patients with common chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, COPD, and other conditions commonly managed in primary care. Experience supporting preventive care, including immunizations, health maintenance, screenings, clinical reminders, and patient education. Ability to provide and reinforce patient education and established plans of care within the LPN scope of practice. Experience assisting with care coordination, including patient follow-up, referrals, appointments, and test related follow-up. Effective communication and collaboration with patients, RNs, providers, and other members of the healthcare team. Ability to organize and prioritize multiple patient care responsibilities in a busy outpatient environment. Experience accurately and timely documenting patient care, procedures, observations, and communications in an electronic health record (EHR).

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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