Licensed Practical Nurse - surgical Service Float

Licensed Practical Nurse

This announcement is open to current, permanent VA Medical Center employees, current permanent VA employees from another facility, and external public applicants. Veteran Preference does not apply to this job announcement per the OCHCO Bulletin: Annual Determination of Staffing Shortages

Responsibilities:

The LPN/LVN GS-7 work is of considerable difficulty and responsibility, and is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art, and science of practical nursing.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for goals and interventions that promote veterans in attaining maximum functional potential, such as ambulation, bowel and bladder training, dressing, grooming, bathing, oral hygiene, range of motion exercises and fall prevention modalities.
• Observing, recording, reporting, changes in the patient's condition, as well as assisting in the development and revision of the patient driven holistic care plan for life.
• Demonstrates active collaboration and communication with clinic staff, the patient's family/care giver, internal and community-based services and disciplines involved in providing care to patients.
• Makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the patient's response.
• Performs, reports, and records assigned nursing care, including but not limited to clinical reminders as indicated, checking expiration dates of medications and supplies, obtaining equipment and assisting with minor procedures, documenting and transporting procedural biological specimens, recognizing urgent or emergent patient care situations, and adhering to principles of infection control, safety, and universal precautions.
• Responsible for RME for all scopes and other equipment (stainless steel surgical instruments) specific to their clinic assignment, and for cleaning non-reusable medical equipment between patients per standard operating procedures.
• Knowledgeable of program regulations and is able to carry out objectives of the Nursing program within guidelines to meet and maintain program requirements
• Contributes to the development of the plan of care for assigned veterans outlining program modalities and updates per policy and as changes occur, with general review and co-signature by the RN or MD.
• Promotes and demonstrates nursing concepts in the Medical Center. Works in collaboration with the Registered Nurse (RN), and or Health Care Provider (HCP).
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, Intramuscular, and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures.
• Takes appropriate actions based upon communications, observations, veteran care reports, provider/staff discussion.
• Assists other staff in order to prioritize the overall veteran care needs and adjusts the plan of care as needed.
• Is adept at encouraging and communicating with challenging psychological and physical behaviors to promote optimal functioning
• Demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform treatments, procedures and the use and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment appropriate to assigned duties.
• Performs assigned nursing care responsibilities requiring the use of equipment, technology, or knowledge in procedures performed in the Surgery Clinics.
• Provides for supportive care of patients relative to transition from one area of care to another.
• Utilizes special equipment such as IV infusion pumps, Doppler units, pulse oximetry, bladder scanner, EKG, point of care testing, computer, and other instruments.
• Provides nursing care to assigned outpatients whose care requires close observation during procedures.
• Administers intravenous fluids and/or medications according to medical provider orders and established policy.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm or 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases

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)

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

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #92221-A

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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.

Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

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:

Citizenship: Citizen of the United States.

Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

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. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website.

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. 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.

An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part.

English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care