Licensed Vocational Nurse - Ambulatory Care - PACT (CBOC San Luis Obispo)

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Advanced Clinical Care Performs a full range of outpatient clinical duties, including: (but not limited to) Independently obtaining and trending vital signs, pain scores, targeted assessments, health histories, and clinical screenings (PHQ-9, AUDIT-C, suicide risk, fall risk, etc.). Recognizing subtle clinical changes and initiating appropriate actions while notifying the RN or provider. Performing advanced clinical procedures, including: EKGs Glucose monitoring and specialty point-of-care testing Complex wound care assistance Ear lavage Nebulizer treatment setup Immunizations (per local competency validation) Preparing patients for PACT and specialty procedures by ensuring all equipment is ready and sterile/clean techniques are followed.

Other duties as assigned Medication Administration Administers medications within LVN scope of practice using BCMA, including oral, injectable, inhaled, topical, and other approved routes. Observes for and reports actual or potential medication reactions. Reinforces medication education as directed by the RN or provider.

PACT Workflow & Care Coordination Coordinates clinic flow and patient movement between the RN Care Manager, provider, clinical pharmacist, and support staff. Conducts pre-visit planning and assists with panel management activities, including: Pending laboratory testing Imaging Care gap closure Preventive care reminders Supports RN-delegated triage activities within LVN scope of practice. Manages follow-up care instructions, consults, and post-visit coordination.

Assists in identifying Veterans needing same-day access, RN case management, or provider outreach. Communication & Interdisciplinary Collaboration Communicates effectively with Veterans, caregivers, and all PACT team members. Participates in daily huddles, interdisciplinary discussions, and process improvement initiatives.

Serves as a liaison between Primary Care, Mental Health, Social Work, Pharmacy, and Specialty Clinics. Utilizes therapeutic communication to support Veterans with chronic illness, behavioral health needs, and complex social factors. Documentation Documents comprehensive care data in CPRS accurately and promptly, including assessments, procedures, medications, education, and clinical reminders.

Completes PACT clinical reminders and specialty documentation templates with a high degree of reliability. Ensures compliance with VA documentation standards and audit requirements. Safety, Infection Control & Regulatory Compliance Maintains strict adherence to infection control protocols, PPE use, and isolation procedures.

Ensures exam rooms and equipment meet safety, sanitation, and readiness standards. Identifies, reports, and assists in resolving safety hazards or process deviations. Participates in emergency drills and follows established emergency response workflows.

Leadership & Mentorship Serves as a resource LVN for Primary Care and PACT operations and specialty care. Precepts LVNs by providing guidance on clinical procedures and workflows. Supports the training of new staff and students.

Contributes to team development and continuous improvement initiatives. Work

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm or 8:00am - 4:30pm - based on clinical needs Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized 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. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: United States Citizenship English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U. S. C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Education or Training: Must be a graduate of a practical or vocational nursing program approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing at the time the program was completed by the applicant, or have you completed Health care education in the military service or training in the military service.

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. Grade Determinations: GS-3

Experience

None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4

Experience

At least (6) six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN. OR Graduation from an approved school and have (1) 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

Experience

Completion of at least one year at the GS-4 level or equivalent of qualifying experience as an LPN and can demonstrate the following: 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. Recognize and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. GS-6

Experience

Completion of at least one year at the GS 5 level or equivalent of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS 5 LPN and am technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Completed work needs only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (ND/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. Preferred

Experience

1-2 years of Primary Care, Ambulatory Care or Acute Care experience References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G13 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. Physical

Requirements

Lifting, pushing and pulling up to 35lbs Walking, standing, stooping, bending, kneeling for up to 4-6 hours intermittently. Pushing for up to 4-5 hours intermittently. Reaching above the shoulder required. Carrying up to 15lbs

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. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.

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.

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…