Licensed Practical Nurse – Primary Care

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

• VA Careers – Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Join the VA Central Iowa Health Care System at the Knoxville VA Clinic as a Primary Care LPN.
• This role delivers frontline Veteran care by rooming patients, obtaining vitals, administering vaccines and medications, supporting exams and procedures, completing clinical reminders, collecting specimens, and ensuring smooth, patient-centered clinic flow.
• Duties include, but not limited to: Obtain and document vital signs.
• Administer medications and vaccinations in accordance with Primary Care policies.
• Complete clinical reminders and report abnormal findings to the RN or provider.
• Assist with Primary Care exams and procedures, supporting in-clinic treatments.
• Perform support duties for diagnostic tests, including preparing patients, equipment handling, and monitoring before, during, and after procedures.
• Collect and label blood and urine specimens using proper techniques and follow lab safety and infection control standards.
• Promote and support virtual care modalities to improve Veteran access to Primary Care.
• Recognize and respond to emergency situations.
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0730-1600 Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
• Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
• Learn more 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.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Requirements

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 examination or evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required. Training provided. 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.

Education

Education Requirements: 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. 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. OR Current Gs-0620 Lpn/lvn employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986. OR Individual granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.

Required Documents

This position requires a complete application package. This usually includes your resume and any documents named in the official announcement, such as transcripts, an Sf-50, or a Dd-214 where applicable. Review the announcement for the exact list before applying.