Licensed Practical Nurse - Primary Care

Summary Join the Iowa City VA Health Care System at the Ottumwa Clinic as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) within Primary Care. In this primary care role – you will provide hands‑on nursing support through vital signs – medication administration – patient education – minor procedure assistance – and proactive care coordination to ensure high‑quality – Veteran‑centered outpatient care. 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. 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) and 7407(d) – no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English Education – Please see the Education Section of the announcement 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 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 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit 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. Duties VA Careers – Licensed Practical Nurse: Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional Duties include – but not limited to: Provide basic nursing care – including vital signs – medication administration – injections – and delegated procedures Document patient care and report changes in condition to the RN or provider Recognize urgent/emergent situations and promptly seek assistance from team members Provide patient and family education aligned with Primary Care goals and individualized care plans Assist in orienting and validating competencies of peers Utilize and maintain specialty clinic equipment Assist with minor procedures – including set up – patient positioning – comfort – and monitoring Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday – 0800‑1630 Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Not authorized 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 available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Physical requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre‑employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre‑employment process for this position Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well‑being and live their lives to the fullest As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care – you will operate in a model with three core elements – seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well‑being. #J-18808-Ljbffr