Vocational Nurse-Primary Care

Summary The Vocational Nurse at the San Francisco VA Medical Center provides direct patient care and clinical support to Veterans as part of the VA's team-based primary care model. The LVN delivers safe - compassionate - and patient-centered nursing care while supporting the coordination of services within the PACT model. The LVN plays an important role in promoting continuity of care - improving patient outcomes - and ensuring Veterans receive timely access. 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 English Language Proficiency In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English 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 granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN Licensure - Active - full - current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) - of the United States or the 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 the grade The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade GS 3: None beyond the basic requirements GS 4: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN/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 in duration AND LVN/LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level GS 5: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent AND Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with patients - family members - professional and supportive personnel patient care 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 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 GS 6: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent AND 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 and to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments Ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs for medication - equipment-assisted care and patient/family education Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures 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 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 Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice 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) Preferred Experience: 2 years of LVN experience in out-patient setting Salary for this position ranges dependent upon applicant qualifications GS-03: $58 -187-$75 -650 annually GS-04: $65 -316-$84 -916 annually GS-05: $73 -078-$95 -002 annually GS-06: $81 -461-$105 -899 annually Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is 6 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 6 Physical Requirements: The population of male and female patients served ranges from the adult - age 18 - to the elderly adult - age 65 and over The San Francisco VA Health Care System is a health care facility - providing acute medical - surgical - behavioral health - physical medicine and rehabilitation - geriatric - and primary care services predominately to veterans - but in special cases - includes active duty military and civilian populations This position requires visual acuity (Correctable to 20/40) - hearing clear distinctive speech (correctable to 20db) - and manual dexterity to perform prescribed procedures/computer usage This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing Transferring patients and objects may be required The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or during patient operative/invasive procedures The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - and is able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Duties VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The LVN works in a fast-paced outpatient primary care clinic and is an essential member of the PACT team The position requires strong clinical skills - effective communication - teamwork - and the ability to manage multiple priorities while supporting the mission of the Veterans Health Administration to provide high-quality healthcare to Veterans Key Duties and Responsibilities include: Obtain and document patient vital signs including blood pressure - pulse - temperature - oxygen saturation - height - weight - and pain assessment Perform patient intake and prepare Veterans for provider examinations Assist providers with physical exams - procedures - and treatments Administer medications - immunizations - and injections according to provider orders and established protocols Perform clinical procedures such as wound care - dressing changes - electrocardiograms (EKGs) - specimen collection - and point-of-care testing Monitor patient condition and report any significant changes to the Registered Nurse or provider Ensure proper infection control practices and maintain a clean and safe clinical environment Support the PACT model by coordinating patient care activities within the team Schedule follow-up appointments - diagnostic tests - and specialty referrals as directed by providers Assist in managing patient panels by monitoring preventive care reminders and chronic disease management needs Participate in patient telephone triage and relay patient concerns to the appropriate provider or RN Track laboratory results and diagnostic tests and ensure appropriate follow-up Provide education to Veterans and family members regarding medications - treatments - and disease management Reinforce provider instructions and encourage patient participation in their care plans Promote preventive health measures such as vaccinations - screenings - and healthy lifestyle choices Accurately document patient care - procedures - and communications in the electronic health record in accordance with VA policy Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient interactions and nursing interventions Assist with clinic flow management to support timely patient care delivery Collaborate with physicians - nurse practitioners - registered nurses - and other interdisciplinary team members to ensure coordinated patient care Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): 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) 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 #: 09899F - 09900F - 09901F - 09902F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr