Licensed Practical Nurse-Specialty Care Clinics

Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) position is located within the Specialty Medicine Clinics at the Lincoln VA Clinic in Lincoln, NE. The LPN works as part of a nursing team, providing direct care to Veterans through in-person, video, or telephone interactions, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Provider.

The Specialty Medicine Clinics provide a range of services including dermatology, podiatry, pulmonology, orthopedics, rheumatology, telemedicine, urology, and wound care.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) plays a crucial role in delivering both routine and specialized direct patient care across various specialty clinics, each catering to 12 to 14 Veterans daily.
• In addition to providing exceptional care, the LPN is instrumental in ensuring the smooth operation of the clinic and effective coordination of patient services.
• Major duties include, but are not limited to: Assists in minor procedures across various specialties, supporting the RN and/or Provider by preparing patients; participating in the time-out procedure; ensuring the availability of clean and sterile supplies and equipment; managing the collection, labeling, and handling of specimens; and oversees the pre-cleaning and transportation of reusable medical instruments as necessary.
• Assists Providers with injections, wound care and debridement, joint injections/aspirations, application of liquid nitrogen, electrosurgery and other minor dermatology, wound, rheumatology and podiatry procedures.
• Assesses, observes, reports and records patient’s status such as patient’s physical condition, emotional response, skin condition, variations in vital signs, personal habits of patient, and listens for clues to patient’s reaction to illness and treatment and documents appropriately.
• Provides care in the specialty nursing clinics for injections, immunizations, dressing changes, catheter removal and/or changes, voiding trials and suture removal with documentation of the care provided.
• Contributes to the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the nursing care that expediates the patient’s return to optimal functioning Recognize the need for and institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek assistance of the RN or MD/DO, and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest.
• Assists with the proper storage of reusable medical equipment for the unit Works closely with providers, logistics, prosthetics, and pharmacy to ensure supplies are available for patient care.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Work Schedule: Full time, Monday-Friday, shifts are scheduled 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. or 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., depending on clinic need.
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Recruitment incentive may be authorized for eligible, highly qualified applicants.
• A service agreement is required for all recruitment incentives.
• 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.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Nebraska-Western Iowa is part of the VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23).
• 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.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required. Training provided.
• 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

Your education program must be approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission) at the time the program was completed.

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. 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/.

How You Will Be Evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

To receive full consideration for this position at the GS-5 and -6 levels, your application must clearly demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) required by the Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard.

Prior to submitting your application, please ensure your resume includes details of your experience that fully demonstrate the required KSAs as described in the “Qualifications” section of this announcement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Applicants will be referred in the following order without regard to Veterans’ preference: Internal applicants VA Nationwide applicants Other permanent Federal agency applicants All US Citizens

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document.
• This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted ‘Resume’ document upload field.
• Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the ‘Other’ document upload field.
• Transcripts may be required at the time of application, depending on how you meet the qualification requirements.
• Please see education section of this announcement for additional information.
• Candidates who do not yet meet the basic education/licensure requirement but are currently enrolled in school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), must provide proof of enrollment at the time of application.
• The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), etc. DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) Supplemental document with written responses to Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (See Qualifications section of announcement) Professional Certification Proof of Enrollment
• Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript