Career Center

Since 1952, the Iowa City VA Health Care System has been improving the health of the men and women who have so proudly served our nation. Our system serves more than 50,000 Veterans residing in 53 counties throughout Eastern Iowa, Western Illinois, and Northern Missouri. The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) consists of a comprehensive Tertiary Care Level I VA Health Care System; nine VA Clinics and two Homeless Veterans Outreach Centers. 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 the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission). See "Education" section for additional requirements and exceptions. 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. Physical Standards: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Grade Determinations: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. Human Resources will determine eligibility and qualifications and recommend the appropriate grade level to the selecting official. This determination will be made based on the information in your application. To receive full consideration at the GS-5 and -6 levels, your application must clearly demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) described below. GS-03. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-04: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or 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-05. Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent that demonstrates the following KSAs: 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 registered nurse (RN) and/or physician (MD/DO) to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs 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. 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-06. Completion of at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent that demonstrates the following KSAs: 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 RN or 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 recognizes and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors. Prepares/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. 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. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; straight pulling intermittent hours; pushing; reaching above shoulders; use of fingers; both hands required; walking 3 hours; standing 3 hours; kneeling ¼ hour; repeated bending; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; specific visual correction to read fine print; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of color; hearing (aid permitted); mental/emotional stability; and no skin allergies preventing use of protective equipment. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13. ["A recruitment incentive of up to $7,500(pre-taxed) has been authorized for eligible, highly qualified applicants. Please contact the HR specialist for specific requirements The Ambulatory Care Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) reports directly to the Clinical Manager. Adheres to the LPN scope of practice, the Nursing Code of Ethics, and local, VISN and National Directives. The LPN provides basic nursing care, performs, reports, and records assigned nursing care done in their assigned clinic setting. This includes, but is not limited to the following: medication administration, including injections, obtaining and recording vital signs, checking expirations of medications and supplies prior to use, performs delegated procedures and completes timely and correct documentation. Additional duties of the LPN include, but are not limited to: Makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the patient's response. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or LIP of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations and seeks assistance from other team members as needed to provide optimal medical care. Provides education to patient and family based on the Veteran's goals. Adheres to principles of infection control, safety, and universal precautions; as well as adheres to GEMS guidance for pharmaceutical and other waste Maintains confidentiality of electronic, written, and or verbal patient information. Assists in the minor procedures (obtain supplies, assist with positioning of patient, ensure comfort, privacy, monitor patient response to treatment, etc.) Recognizes and appropriately responds to the breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Promotes patient and personnel safety. Demonstrates ability and competence regarding utilization of specialty equipment in clinic setting. Completes tasks or projects as assigned to promote improvement of care and clinic. Ability to observe, identify, and respond to the patients' needs for care, including medications, equipment, assisted care, and patient/family education. In organizing and delivering care, the LPN 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 patients' condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting changes in notes, and reporting deviations from normal to RN or LIP. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 0800 - 1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized to be paid to a highly qualified candidate. Recruitment incentives may be authorized to part-time or full-time individuals in their first appointment as a Federal employee or to a newly appointed former Federal employee with at least a 90-day break in service (possible exceptions). Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Physical Requirements: The population of male and female Veterans served ranges from adult, age 18, to elderly adult, age 65 and over. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires up to the entire shift of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Incumbent is required to lift up to 45 lbs. as transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs."]

Return to Search Results