Licensed Practical Nurse-Primary Care

This LPN position is located within the Cedar Rapids VA Clinic, serving as a member of a Primary Care, Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). The PACT is a patient-centered medical home model of care that is accessible, timely, coordinated, comprehensive, and compassionate. The LPN is a crucial member of the PACT providing evaluation and care consistent with licensure, collaborating with PACT staff to develop comprehensive care plans, managing clinic workflow, and covering lab duties as assigned.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The Cedar Rapids VA Clinic is fast-paced and ever-changing to meet the needs of our Veterans. Nursing staff must be flexible, adapt quickly to change, and maintain composure while working under pressure. The LPN works under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN) or Provider, with assigned duties involving both basic and specialized nursing activities.

The selected candidate will receive training in a variety of specialized nursing and phlebotomy skills such as EKG, Holter monitor, walking desaturation, special drawing and specimen preparation techniques, etc. High potential LPNs will have opportunities to participate in the VHA LEAD program, a tiered continuum of leadership development that assists employees in taking on additional levels of responsibility and leadership roles within the organization.

Major duties include, but are not limited to :

• Perform a variety of nursing care activities including vital signs, pain screening, clinical reminders, blood draws, brace / splint application, ear irrigation, culture specimen collection, dressing changes, suture / staple removal and EKG.
• Contribute to the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care which expedites the patient's return to, or maintenance of, optimal functioning by providing continuity of care of each patient's individual needs.
• Observe, report, and record current observations such as patient's physical condition, emotional response, observes skin condition, variations in vital signs, personal habits of patient, and listens for clues to patient's reaction to illness and treatment, etc.
• Prepare and administer prescribed medications and perform treatments according to established policies and procedures.
• Participate in patient / family teaching programs related to health promotion and reinforces instructions provided by the Registered Nurse and provider.
• Manage a group of patients for diagnostic testing results, return appointment notification, and follow up telephone calls as necessary.
• Initiate consultations for patients on behalf of the primary care provider who retains responsibility for patient care.
• Collect blood, urine, or other specimens for a wide variety of requested laboratory tests.
• Prepare several types of specimens for analysis following strict guidelines, including specialized specimens involving multiple steps, ensuring the physiologic state of properties is maintained.
• Receive and action requests for laboratory and technical equipment testing, verifying the accuracy and completeness of these requests.
• Assist in the control of laboratory and technical equipment supply inventory, ensuring sufficient stock of supplies, reagents, standards, and controls are always available.
• Assist with packaging specimens for transport to reference laboratories in accordance with existing policies and regulations.
• Provide coverage for various other LPN assignments within the clinic as needed.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday 7 : 30a.m. to 4 : 00p.m.

Physical requirements : This position requires some degree of fitness, strength, and agility. Duties require extensive periods of standing and walking. Working with patients requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, pushing, pulling, lifting arm overhead, and similar activities. If selected, questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed during a pre-employment physical evaluation.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : 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.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized