Summary

The primary purpose of the Outpatient Primary Care Licensed Practical/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) at the South Bexar Outpatient Clinic is to provide technically proficient - patient-centered nursing care under the supervision and direction of a registered nurse (RN) or provider - supporting safe - efficient clinical operations and contributing to high-quality care within the healthcare team.

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
• 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
• VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in 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
• Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• Licensure
• Full - active - current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or 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: 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 duration
• GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• In addition to that experience - candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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
• (f) 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 have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures
• However - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review
• GS-6: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent
• In addition to that experience - candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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
• to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments
• and to accurately recognize - report and record relevant] patient information
• Completed work [should need] only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures
• Ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs for [care - including] medication - equipment-assisted care and patient/family education
• In organizing and delivering care - the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional - cultural - spiritual - socio-economic - and age-related] factors
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments - promptly and accurately documenting noted changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO
• 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
• Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery
• Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and/or other internal/external customers
• 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
• Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures
• 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: 3 years LVN experience Primary Care Clinic PACT or Patient Centered Medical Home Recent patient care within 5 years Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills Proficient computer skills

Duties

• Functions or Scopes of Practice: GS-3 Level Provides foundational - entry-level patient-centered nursing care under direct supervision of an RN or provider
• Performs routine structured/focused health screenings - basic nursing interventions - and supports patient safety and clinic flow
• Completes preventive procedures - routine nursing tasks - chart reviews - panel scrubbing - daily huddles - and visit preparation with routine or detailed oversight depending on task complexity
• Supports clinic operations by rooming patients - taking vital signs - performing clinical reminders - assisting with entry-level procedures - managing room turnover - and making pre-visit calls
• Assists in schedule management by reviewing upcoming appointments - helping identify alternate care modalities - supporting consult tracking - and serving as backup for routine post-discharge calls
• Participates in PACT meetings and uses clinic tools and workflows to maintain continuity - coordination - and quality of care
• Provides entry-level patient/customer service through pre-visit outreach - reinforcing instructions - and ensuring patients bring needed health information
• Supports clinical decision-making by reviewing medications/allergies - identifying urgent needs - initiating protocols as approved - and reporting findings to the RN or provider
• Enhances team functioning through health coaching - patient education - secure message management - consult tracking - and follow-up with no-shows
• Assists with immunizations - injections - procedures - prevention activities - and serves as a chaperone when appropriate and within competency limits
• Maintains an organized clinical environment - including exam room cleanliness - stocking - supply management - and required quality checks
• Contributes to patient care planning and Whole Health principles at an entry-level capacity - supporting shared decision-making and collaborative care
• GS-4 Level Provides foundational - patient-centered nursing care under RN or provider supervision
• Performs structured or focused health screenings and basic nursing interventions
• Supports patient safety - clinic flow - patient education - and continuity of care
• Completes preventive procedures - assigned nursing tasks - chart reviews - panel scrubbing - huddles - and visit preparation
• Rooms patients - collects vital signs - completes clinical reminders - assists providers - and prepares exam rooms
• Conducts pre-visit calls and contributes to appointment management and clinic efficiency
• Participates in PACT operations - meetings - and workflows to support coordination and quality of care
• GS-5 Level Provides patient-centered nursing care with broader working knowledge and ability than GS-04
• Performs a full range of practical nursing duties - with some complex tasks requiring higher-level review
• Conducts structured/focused health screenings - basic interventions - and supports patient safety and clinic flow
• Completes preventive procedures - chart reviews - panel scrubbing - huddles - and visit preparation with general supervision
• Orients/trains less experienced LPNs/LVNs and Nursing Assistants/Health Technicians
• Manages clinic operations including reminders - rooming - assisting with procedures - and room turnover
• Supports schedule management - consult tracking - alternate care modalities - and post-discharge call backup
• Participates in PACT meetings and uses clinic tools to maintain continuity - quality - and coordination
• GS-6 Level Provides technically proficient - patient-centered nursing care with advanced judgment and minimal supervision
• Uses clinical judgment to select appropriate order/sequence of procedures and accurately recognize and report patient findings
• Performs structured/focused screenings - nursing interventions - patient education - and promotes safety and smooth clinic flow
• Completes preventive nursing tasks - chart reviews - panel management activities - huddles - and visit preparation
• Serves as a preceptor - educating and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs and NAs/HTs
• Supports complex diagnostic or specialized procedures - including patient preparation - instrumentation - and monitoring
• Performs schedule management - consult tracking - and post-discharge call support
• Actively engages in PACT activities and seeks educational opportunities to advance nursing skills and team effectiveness
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm - weekends as needed
• Telework: Ad-hoc only - as determined by the agency policy
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 99267-F
• 99266-F
• 99265-F
• 99264-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized