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.

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…