Licensed Practical Nurse - Medicine Specialty Care (Durham)

The Durham VA Medical Center is seeking (1) highly skilled/experienced Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) to serve within Medicine Specialty Care. Demonstrates leadership, experience/ingenious approaches to management of complex patient care. Accountable for the management of patient care, human, fiscal/material resources, & the total environment of the unit. Responsible to ensure that the highest possible quality of care is achieved & a safe therapeutic environment.

The primary purpose of the LPN/LVN is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. The LPN/LVN also performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality healthcare, outstanding customer service, and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran.

The LPN/LVN incumbent is technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient/resident populations. This role is used as a staff assignment to support Medicine Specialty Care in an outpatient setting. Provides a wide range of clinical and technical services to the Veteran that demonstrates complex technical judgment under general supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP). Participates in implementing the healthcare plan by performing tasks delegated by and performed under the supervision and directions of an RN. Must complete a competency-based orientation and annual mandatory review. Daily assignment, supervision, and review of work for technical soundness and conformity to policy, procedure, and standards are provided by the RN. Performs duties of the position in a manner that is appropriate to the age of patients/families served.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• 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 patents' 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 or physician for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures.
• 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/LPN/LVN recognized and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, 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 medication/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or LIP.
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent and emergent patient care situation, seek assistance of the RN and/or LIP, 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.
• Established 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 inter/external customers.
• Performs all other duties assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:30a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tour subject to change based on the needs of the agency.
Telework: No
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The LPN may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The LPN may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The LPN must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred & tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

Citizenship. United States.

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: (1) 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; (2) 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. [(3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See licensure section below.

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.

Grade Requirements:

Practical Nurse GS-6: Qualifications - Must have completed 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. You must also possess the required KSA's as outlined in the assessment.

Preferred Experience: 1-2 Years of Acute care and/or Ambulatory/Out-Patient clinic care PACT experience.

English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English.

The full performance level is a GS-06.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 and local LPN/LVN physical standards.

References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13.

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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.