Summary This position is located in the Nursing Service Ambulatory Care at the VA Bedford Healthcare System, in Bedford, MA. The primary purpose of the Outpatient Primary Care Licensed Practical /Licensed Vocational Nurse ( LPN /LVN ) 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. Responsibilities The primary purpose of the Outpatient Primary Care Licensed Practical /Licensed Vocational Nurse ( LPN /LVN ) 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 with in the healthcare team. The GS-06 LPN /LVN demonstrates the knowledge and ability to appropriately carryout 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 an RN or provider for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. Nursing practice must be in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act of the State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia governing licensure. Major Duties in addition to basic Practical Nurse duties include, but are not limited to: The Outpatient Primary Care LPN /LVN's practice in the Patient Aligned Care Team ( PACT) focuses on: Demonstrating technical proficiency in initiating, performing, and completing structured/focused health screenings or the equivalent, delivering appropriate nursing interventions, promoting patient safety and ensuring smooth clinic flow. Reinforcing patient education, preventive care, and continuity of services across the care experience. Completing preventive procedures, nursing tasks, chart reviews, panel scrubbing, daily huddles, and visit preparation. Serving as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or nursing assistants (NAs)/health technicians (HTs). Supporting efficient clinic operations by completing screening reminders, rooming patients, assisting providers, managing room turnovers, and conducting pre-visit calls to prepare patients for labs and procedures. Uses knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures. Preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examinations preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, and monitoring the patient's condition before, during, and following the procedure. Performing schedule management by reviewing upcoming appointments, identifying opportunities for alternate care modalities, facilitating consult tracking, and serving as backup for post-discharge calls. Using clinic tools and workflows, participating in PACT meetings and helping maintain continuity, coordination, and quality of care across the team. Actively seeking out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Patient Care/Customer Service: Providing technically proficient patient-centered care by confirming the reason for visits, conducting pre-visit outreach, reinforcing instructions, and ensuring Veterans bring needed logs, equipment, and health information. Performing pre-visit planning by reviewing records, obtaining missing documentation, updating changes in conditions or treatments, and preparing clinical data. Supporting an efficient, high-quality appointment with general review by a supervisor, RN s or provider. Team Support and Teamwork: Actively supports and seeks opportunities to enhance team operations by participating in pre-planning, daily huddles, and team meetings Assisting with patient care activities such as immunizations, injections, procedures, prevention efforts, and serving as a chaperone when appropriate. Collaborating with the PACT to achieve access, continuity, quality, and patient-experience goals. Contributing to panel management through schedule review, identifying appropriate visit modalities, and completing or routing secure messages with only general review. Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:F08598, F08599, F08600, F08601 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Notifications: This position is covered by a special rate. Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. This is an open continuous announcement until September 30, 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. 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. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Practical Nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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. EXCEPTION: 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 11/21/83, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted 10/28/86 & for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C. License: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth 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: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, applicants will need to meet the grade level requirements, and the Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). To meet the grade level requirement the applicants must have the following listed below: Requirements for GS-3 Grade: None beyond the basic requirements. Requirements for GS-4 Grade: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR Graduation from an approved school and 1 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. Requirements for GS-5 Grade: Possess Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent; AND Demonstrated the following KSAs: Demonstrate knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Work with 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. Provide 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, & appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies & procedures. Observation & 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 & ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO, & assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards & 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. Requirements for GS-6 Grade: Possess completion of at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN.; AND Demonstrated the following KSA's: 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 MD/DO for appropriateness & conformity with established policies/procedures. Ability to observe, identify & 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 & considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) & 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, & initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Knowledge & understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations & ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members & other staff. Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings & attitudes, & to promote positive relationships, communication & socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient & family rights to privacy & dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge & 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 & handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, & monitoring the patient's condition before, during & 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 knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve & advance nursing practice. Education 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 3 to GS 6. Preferred Experience: Experience working in Primary Care. Reference: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G13. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. Physical Requirements: This clinical position includes a level of physicality normally associated with direct patient care duties performed by nurses such as long periods of continued walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling. Examples may include, but are not limited to: Significant amounts of time standing, assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols Position-specific duties/expectations are detailed in the associated competency and should be performed once the competency has been validated. This position may require flexibility in scheduling and assignments. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
