Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN)

This Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) position is in the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, Nursing Service, Outpatient Primary Care, physically located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The LPN/LVN provides technically proficient, patient-centered nursing care under the supervision and direction of a registered nurse (RN) or medical provider, supporting safe, efficient clinical operations and contributing to high-quality care within the healthcare team.

Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional The Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) demonstrates the knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out patient care based on the patients' conditions. The duties of the LPN/LVN may include by are not limited to: Provides technically proficient patient-centered care by confirming the reason for visit, conducting pre-visit outreach, reinforcing instructions, and ensuring Veterans bring needed logs, equipment, and health information. Performs pre-visit planning by reviewing records, obtaining missing documentation, updating changes in conditions or treatments, and preparing clinical data to support an efficient, high-quality appointment with general review by a supervisor, RN, or provider. Manages efficient clinic flow by rooming patients, collecting vital data, completing assigned clinical reminders, assisting providers with procedures, administering medications and immunizations, and maintaining clean, stocked exam rooms. Uses judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; supports clinical decision-making by reviewing medications and allergies, identifying urgent needs, initiating nursing protocols or clinical pathways as locally approved, and communicating key findings to the RN or provider. Recognizes and considers emotional, socioeconomic, and age-related factors when organizing and delivering patient care. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes patient 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 provider. Recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance from the RN and/or provider, and initiates appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Actively seeks opportunities to enhance team functioning through health coaching, patient education, secure message management, consult tracking, participation in PACT meetings, and follow-up with no-show patients to ensure safety and continuity of care. Collaborates with the PACT to achieve access, continuity, quality, and patient-experience goals, contributing to panel management through schedule review, identifying appropriate visit modalities, and completing or routing secure messages with only general review. Work Schedule: Typically, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Schedule subject to change based on facility needs. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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. Functional Statement #: GS-03: 99267FS, GS-04: 99266FS, GS-05: 99265FS, GS-06: 99264FS Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. 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.

GS-06: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities continued: 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. Preferred Experience: 2 years of experience in a Primary Care clinic. Phlebotomy experience performing venipunctures and specimen processing. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. 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/.