Job Description:
• The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides direct patient care and clinical support services under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, Nurse Manager, physician, or other authorized clinical provider. • The LPN supports nursing operations at the VA Hudson Valley VAMC by performing routine and specialized patient care tasks, assisting with treatment plans, monitoring patient conditions, documenting care, and supporting safe, timely, and Veteran-centered clinical services.
• The LPN is expected to work onsite in a medical center, outpatient clinic, long-term care, behavioral health, or other VA clinical setting as assigned. • The role requires strong clinical judgment within the LPN scope of practice, effective communication with interdisciplinary care teams, and adherence to VA policies, infection control standards, patient privacy requirements, and applicable state nursing regulations.
Key Duties and Responsibilities • Provide direct nursing care to Veteran patients in accordance with established care plans, clinical protocols, and provider instructions. • Measure and record vital signs, pain levels, intake/output, weight, and other patient status indicators. • Observe, monitor, and report changes in patient condition to the supervising RN or provider. • Administer medications and treatments within the LPN scope of practice and in accordance with facility policy. • Assist with patient assessments by collecting clinical information and reporting findings to licensed clinical staff. • Support wound care, dressing changes, specimen collection, catheter care, ostomy care, and other routine nursing procedures as authorized. • Assist patients with activities of daily living, mobility, transfers, hygiene, nutrition, and comfort measures as needed. • Prepare patients for examinations, procedures, treatments, and diagnostic testing. • Reinforce patient education provided by RNs, physicians, or other licensed providers, including medication instructions, treatment plans, discharge • instructions, and health maintenance guidance. • Document care, observations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and timely in the electronic health record. • Maintain infection prevention and control practices, including hand hygiene, PPE use, isolation precautions, and equipment cleaning. • Respond to patient calls, urgent care needs, and changes in patient status within assigned clinical area. • Participate in interdisciplinary communication, shift handoffs, safety huddles, and care coordination activities. • Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, Privacy Act, VA information security, and records management requirements. • Support clinic flow, appointment readiness, room turnover, supply stocking, and other nursing support activities. • Follow all VA, facility, and unit-specific policies related to patient safety, medication safety, fall prevention, infection control, and emergency response. • Perform other LPN duties within scope of practice as assigned by the supervising clinical authority. • LPN shall possess the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare, administer, and accurately document commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications, in accordance with approved local facility policies and procedures. • Observation and documentation will include the patient's response to administered medications and any observed changes in the patient's condition, which must be reported to the RN or physician. • The LPN must demonstrate the ability to work responsibly as part of the nursing team and interact professionally with patients, family members, and other healthcare personnel involved in patient care, while adhering to established customer service standards. • The contract LPN will provide skilled nursing care to patients in the Intermediate/Medical Nursing Home Care Unit and Psychiatric patients. • The LPN may perform procedures approved for Medical Center staff as outlined in the Licensed Practical Nurse Act and Vocational Nurse VA Qualification Standards, available at https://department.va.gov/employees/va-qualifications-standards/.
• The contracted LPN demonstrates increasing autonomy in patient care management and possesses competence in caring for adult psychiatric, medical, and geriatric patients. • Under the supervision of the Nurse Manager, the LPN will collaborate with other healthcare professionals as needed across various units, including ambulatory care, critical care, nursing home, and the Emergency Room throughout the Montrose and Castle Point VA Medical Centers. • The LPN operates both independently and under guidance and supervision from the Nurse Manager or their designee. • Direct Patient Care: 95% of the time involved in direct patient care. 5% of the time not involved in patient care. • This is only an estimate and can be changed based on the needs of the Government. Scheduling: VA Hudson Valley will schedule based on needs/requirement indicated in the PWS.
Minimum Qualifications
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted license as a Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia. • LPN must be a graduate of a state-approved school of practical or vocational nursing. • Current Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association or equivalent accepted by the facility. • Demonstrated ability to provide safe direct patient care in a hospital, outpatient clinic, long-term care, rehabilitation, behavioral health, or comparable clinical setting. • Knowledge of basic nursing procedures, medication administration principles, infection control, patient safety, and clinical documentation. • Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, nurses, providers, and interdisciplinary team members. • Ability to pass required background investigation, credentialing, onboarding, occupational health, and facility access requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
• Prior experience supporting Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, or other federal healthcare facilities. • Experience in medical-surgical, primary care, long-term care, mental health, urgent care, geriatric, or outpatient clinical environments. • Familiarity with VA clinical documentation systems and federal healthcare compliance requirements. • Experience working with geriatric, disabled, behavioral health, or medically complex patient populations. • Strong customer service orientation and experience serving Veteran or military-connected populations.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Knowledge of LPN scope of practice and ability to work under appropriate clinical supervision. • Skill in taking vital signs, observing patient status, assisting with procedures, administering medications, and documenting care. • Ability to recognize changes in patient condition and promptly escalate concerns. • Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, clinical protocols, and facility policies. • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced healthcare environment with multiple priorities. • Ability to maintain professionalism, compassion, and cultural sensitivity when working with Veterans and family members. • Ability to use electronic health records, basic computer systems, and clinical communication tools. • Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive patient information.
Physical and Work Environment Requirements
• Work is performed onsite in a VA clinical environment. • May require standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, transferring patients, and assisting with mobility. • May require use of standard clinical equipment, PPE, and infection control precautions. • May involve exposure to patients with infectious conditions, behavioral health needs, or other clinical risks. • May require day, evening, night, weekend, holiday, or rotating shifts depending on the solicitation and facility schedule.
Compliance Requirements
• The LPN shall comply with all applicable federal, VA, facility, and state requirements, including but not limited to: • State nursing licensure and scope-of-practice requirements • VA credentialing and privileging / onboarding requirements, as applicable • HIPAA and Privacy Act requirements • VA information security and patient confidentiality rules • Infection prevention and occupational health requirements • Background investigation and identity/access management requirements • Mandatory training, safety, and emergency preparedness requirements |