Practical Nurse

Summary

The LPN/LVN assigned duties promote quality health care, positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• The LPN performs, reports, and records assigned nursing care, including, but not limited to: Oxygen therapy, Clinical reminders with appropriate consults and alerts as indicated, Check expiration dates of meds and supplies. Delegated procedures and treatments
• Assists with minor procedures, including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment, positioning patient, ensuring comfort and privacy. Monitors patient during the procedure.
• Adheres to standards of practice and safe technique in preparation and administration of medication, vaccinations, and skin tests. Appropriately documents in the medical record.
• Demonstrates understanding of age- and population-specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran.
• Based on the patient's goals, provides patient and family health education, to include self-management, prevention, and wellness.
• Adheres to principles of infection control, safety, and universal precautions.
• Demonstrates competence utilizing special equipment needed to perform job duties.
• Obtains electrocardiograms on patients as assigned reporting readings to the Registered Nurse and/or provider according to unit level procedures.
• Completes finger stick blood glucose testing on patients as appropriate and other point of care testing and completes mandatory competency reviews.
• Follows policy and procedures related to fire and disaster drills, safety and security measures.
• Maintains confidentiality of electronic, written, and/or verbal patient information.
• Protects patient and family rights.
• Completes clinical competency reviews and mandatory reviews as scheduled.
• Supports patient-driven care in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner.
• Promotes patient and personnel safety by recognizing and reporting potential risk factors in the clinical environment.
• Implement plan of care for patients considering physical, emotional, and social factors.
• Contributes to the assessment and reassessment of patients, and documents relevant information in the medical record. Reports significant changes in patient's condition to the Registered Nurse and/or provider.
• Performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, outstanding customer service, and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran
• Takes secure electronic messages and telephone messages, as assigned, and resolves or forwards them to the appropriate personnel. Responds directly to messages within scope and level of knowledge. Able to differentiate between those complex problems that require assistance of the Registered Nurse or provider and obtain appropriate guidance.
• Demonstrates adherence to and competence of Nursing Standard Operating Procedures, VASNHS Medical Center Memoranda, and National Directives.
• Must be proficient and demonstrate competency and the ability to either set up or reprocess Reusable Medical Equipment as applicable for all equipment for which he/she has been trained.
• Use initiative in completing nursing assignments.
• Assists others as time permits in the completion of their duties.
• Uses the computer system in accordance with VASNHS policies.
• Participates in VASNHS sponsored continuing education programs.
• Participates in unit-based quality improvement monitors.
• Establishes constructive relationships with employees and co-workers to promote interaction and communication. Contributes to the interdisciplinary team in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the patient's treatment plan.

2-3 YEARS EXPERIENCE IS PREFERRED.

Work Schedule : TBD By Supervisor

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 593-00062F, 593-00063F, 593-00064-F, 593-00065F

Location: NW PCC Clinic, 3968 North Rancho Dr, Las Vegas NV 89130

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Help

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Trial Period: As a condition of employment for accepting the position of LPN with the Department of Veterans Affairs, you will be required to serve a 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 the following:
• 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. If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period hat your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.
• 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.

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.
• Education or Training . Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State Agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN); OR Received health care education/training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualified for full LPN/LVN licensure.
• 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. [NOTE: YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR LICENSE NUMBER OR SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR CURRENT LICENSURE WITH THE APPLICATION PACKAGE].
• 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).

Physical Requirements: 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 don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.

GS-6: 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.

1. Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.

2. 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.

3. Ability to observe, identify and respond to the 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.

R eferences: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualifications Standard,

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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:

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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

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

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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.

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.

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.