Job Summary:
The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) at the North Santa Rosa VA Outpatient Clinic provides comprehensive, patient-centered nursing care to Veterans as part of an interdisciplinary primary care team. Working under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Primary Care Provider, the LVN supports the delivery of coordinated, accessible, and high-quality care aligned with the PACT model established by the Veterans Health Administration.
Duties:
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
The LVN plays a key role in supporting preventive care, chronic disease management, and clinical operations within the primary care setting. Responsibilities include performing clinical procedures, assisting with patient assessment and care planning, coordinating care, and promoting Veteran education and health maintenance.
Key Duties and Responsibilities include:
- Performs patient intake procedures including obtaining vital signs, weight, height, oxygen saturation, and pain assessments.
- Prepares Veterans for examinations and procedures, ensuring appropriate equipment and supplies are available.
- Assists providers with clinical procedures such as wound care, suture removal, specimen collection, and dressing changes.
- Administers medications and immunizations as ordered within LVN scope of practice and VA policies.
- Performs point-of-care testing such as blood glucose monitoring and other diagnostic screenings.
- Observes and reports changes in patient condition to the Registered Nurse or provider promptly.
- Participates in team-based care planning and coordination for assigned Veterans.
- Assists in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease through patient monitoring and education.
- Coordinates follow-up appointments, diagnostic tests, and referrals to specialty services.
- Facilitates communication between the Veteran, provider, and interdisciplinary team members.
- Supports care transitions including follow-up after emergency department visits or hospital discharge.
- Reinforces provider instructions and educates Veterans on medications, treatments, and self-care strategies.
- Provides health teaching related to preventive care, chronic disease management, and lifestyle modification.
- Encourages Veterans to participate actively in their care plan and supports adherence to treatment recommendations.
- Accurately documents patient care activities in the electronic health record system.
- Maintains updated clinical reminders, patient information, and care coordination notes.
- Ensures documentation meets regulatory, accreditation, and organizational standards.
- Works collaboratively with providers, Registered Nurses, medical support assistants, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals.
- Participates in daily huddles, team meetings, and performance improvement initiatives.
- Supports the PACT model by promoting coordinated, accessible, and patient-centered care.
- Maintains exam room readiness and ensures adequate medical supplies and equipment are available.
- Assists with infection control practices and ensures compliance with safety standards.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): 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).
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
Qualifications:
- 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. 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 granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN.
- 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.
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 In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for the grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.
GS 3: None beyond the basic requirements.
GS 4: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN/LVN OR
Graduation from an approved school 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 in duration. AND LVN/LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level.
GS 5: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. AND
- Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.
- Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel patient care.
- 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.
- 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.
GS 6: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent. AND
- 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 patients' conditions and 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 for medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education.
- 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, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
- Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations, and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members, and other staff.
- Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills.
- 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.
- 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:
- Two years of outpatient nursing experience.
Salary for this position ranges dependent upon applicant qualifications
GS-03: $58,187-$75,650 annually
GS-04: $65,316-$84,916 annually
GS-05: $73,078-$95,002 annually
GS-06: $79,522-$103,377 annually
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 6.
Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The position requires potentially, long periods of combined walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable or working effectively in stressful situation, able to shift priorities based on needs of the organization. The incumbent may be required to travel occasionally. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments. Telework is position dependent and appropriate approvals are required; telework is not guaranteed and incumbent must comply with all regulations relevant to telework agreements, policies, and processes. If a position requires driving, incumbent is required to maintain compliance with all relevant policies and processes.
Pay: $58,187.00 - $103,377.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
