License Vocational Nurse- Clinical Operations Support Team (COST)

Summary The primary purpose of the License Vocational Nurse(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. Performs within this functional statement under guidance of the Nurse Manager or designee. Assigned tasks require advanced technical competence and skill. Is expected to function at a fully successful level for all key elements. The GS-6 is a full performance level. Learn more about this agency Duties The LVN's duties include but are not limited to; The Clinical Operations Support team (COST) LVN will perform to the fullness of their scope of practice as established by their state license, limited by local policy, and procedural guidelines, policies, and SOWs. LVNs will utilize charting and communication system specific to the area assigned. The LVN while in the ED will obtain labs, draw blood, place IV catheters, treat and dress wounds, splint and/or cast, assist RNs and Providers with their scope, administer medications, and or perform any duty allowed under policy and scope of practice. The LVN while in any specialty clinic will perform all duties as assigned and within scope of practice as allowed under local policies and SOWs. The LVN while in COST clinical areas will provide vaccine and testing education related to COVID, flu, RSV, and others as assigned. The LVN will perform all testing and vaccinations following established local guidelines congruent with CDC protocols. The LVN will ethically and professionally present education, testing, and vaccinations without bias or political influence considerations being communicated. The LVNs may be assigned any task in endemic excluding those requiring RN or higher license. LVNs will utilize charting and communication system specific to the area assigned. The LVN while in the acute or critical care areas will follow unit protocols and scopes of practice as allowed by state of license limits. The LVN while assigned to patient transport teams will follow established SOWs, policies, and evidence based practices. The LVN will maintain all certifications required, complete all TMS and classes assigned as well as annual training conducted/required by unit. The LVN well complete new education as assigned for new responsibilities. The LVN will participate in no less than one unit, hospital, or system improvement project, RCI/A, or RIE annually as approved by the manager. The GS-6 LVN will assume leadership roles as needed including mentoring of new staff, teaching specific skills, and lead roles. The LVN is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice. 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. Will perform duties of assigned unit protocols, SOWs, and policies, as allowed by their state of licensure scope or practice, as COST Nurse. May be required to operate government vehicles following all SOWs, policies, and protocols and must maintain a current valid state driver license, as COST Transport Nurse. Will conduct lab collections and treatments per established protocols, policies, and SOWs consistent with evidence based best practices on unit or clinic assigned, as COST Lab Assist Nurse. Will perform 1:1 and direct observation care following all current policies, SOWs, and protocols. Will perform all duties within scope during the direct observation activity, in acute and critical care units as well as the Emergency Department. Will perform monitored and unmonitored patient transports using gurneys and wheelchairs as indicated by practice, policies, SOWs, and protocols as COST Transport. Will perform clinical duties in main hospital, clinic, and community environments, following all SOWs, protocols, and policies, as COST Assistance Nurse. Will maintain all mandatory and assigned training per state, VA, and unit protocols, as COST Nurses. Will perform vaccination, infusion, testing, and treatment of infectious diseases per current approved protocols consistent with evidence based practices as COST Vaccine and Treatment Nurse. Work Schedule: Full-Time; 12hr shifts, 7 days a week. May change depending on the needs of the facility. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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 (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. Training-Service Agreement and Mobility Agreement required. 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 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. 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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English 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) 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 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 Preferred Experience: Emergency Department Previous paramedic or EMT May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-06 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. LPN must be technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing car to variable patient populations; Possess 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; Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs; Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures; Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations; Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds); Moderate carrying (up to 44 pounds); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking, kneeling and standing up to 1.5 hours; repeated bending; both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). 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: 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/. Additional information Receiving Service Credit for 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. 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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Expand Hide  additional 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. Benefits 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. Review our 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.