Licensed Practical Nurse-(PACT) Clinical Associate

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Clinical Associate in the PACT program at Orlando VA Healthcare System provides complex practical nursing care in an outpatient clinic setting, serving Veterans under the general review of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Provider. This position requires an experienced LPN capable of performing specialized nursing activities, making clinical judgments, and managing complex patient care needs with minimal supervision.

Clinical Setting

This position is located at the Orlando VA Medical Center in an outpatient clinic environment. You will work within the VA healthcare system serving the Veteran population, collaborating closely with RNs and healthcare providers to deliver coordinated, high-quality care.

Responsibilities

• Assist RN and/or Provider in prioritizing overall Veteran care needs and adjusting care delivery plans, with completed work requiring only very limited review for appropriateness and conformity with established standards
• Proactively assist in addressing Veteran medication and treatment needs, accurately administering prescribed medications and treatments according to established policies and procedures, and appropriately documenting administration and patient response
• Recognize and report subtle physical and emotional changes in Veteran condition to the RN and/or Provider, taking appropriate action based on observations
• Demonstrate broad knowledge of the Veteran treatment process and exercise clinical judgment to effectively intervene when appropriate, participating actively in prioritizing and modifying patient care treatment
• Promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent care situations, seek appropriate team intervention from the RN and/or Provider, and effectively intervene as directed to ensure safe and therapeutic care delivery
• Recognize subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN and/or Provider of observed changes, and initiate appropriate prescribed interventions
• Assist Veterans, families, and caregivers in taking an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for improved outcomes
• Exercise skill in communicating with and influencing difficult-to-care-for or difficult-to-communicate-with Veterans, families, and caregivers who may exhibit lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in understanding or following instructions
• Support the RN and/or Provider in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing and non-medical staff, promptly reporting any deviations from normal practice patterns

Required Qualifications

• Current U.S. citizenship
• Full, active, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for GS-6 LPN/LVN
• Ability to observe and respond to subtle physical and emotional changes in patient condition
• Knowledge and skill to recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations and intervene appropriately
• Ability to accurately administer medications and treatments according to established policies and procedures
• Ability to communicate effectively with difficult or resistant patients and families

Education

• Graduation from 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 of program completion
• Exceptions include healthcare education or training in military service accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction where the individual is licensed

Licenses and Certifications

• Active LPN or LVN license (full, active, current, and unrestricted)

Preferred Qualifications

• PACT (Primary Care) experience
• Primary Care experience
• Collateral leadership duties such as UPC member, shared governance council involvement, or preceptor experience
• Two years of Women's Health experience

Schedule and Work Environment

• Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, or flexible schedule to meet organizational needs
• Full-time permanent position
• Not eligible for telework; this is an on-site position
• This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status
• Subject to a 1 or 2-year trial period during which fitness and advancement of the public interest will be evaluated

Physical Requirements

• Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity
• Ability to engage in prolonged walking, standing, kneeling, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing
• Ability to transfer patients and objects
• Potential exposure to infected patients, contaminated materials, and patients who may be combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders
• Must be mature, flexible, sensible, and capable of working effectively in stressful situations while shifting priorities based on patient needs
• Position requires flexibility in schedule and assignment, including medication administration and activities of daily living support

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Subject to urinalysis screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment; refusal to be tested will result in denial of employment
• Selective Service Registration required for males born after December 31, 1959
• Subject to background and security investigation
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation and examination
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for all VA Healthcare Personnel; exemptions for medical or religious reasons require wearing a face mask; violation may result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service
• Must complete an online onboarding process
• Acceptable form of identification required for pre-employment requirements; effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be used
• All applicants must complete the full questionnaire and submit required documentation by the closing date

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $64,691 to $84,451 per year (GS-7)
• Paid Time Off: 37 to 50 days annually (13 to 26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays)
• Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full-time employees with total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for childcare subsidy up to 25% of eligible costs, maximum $416.66 monthly
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5-year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% employer contribution
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance (many programs can be carried into retirement)
• Service Credit: Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience
• No recruitment or relocation incentives authorized
• No permanent change of station or relocation assistance authorized

Application Requirements

• Complete online application with full questionnaire
• Long-form resume or curriculum vitae
• Current LPN or LVN license
• Additional documents may be required based on eligibility and qualifications, including transcripts if using education to qualify, SF-50s for current or former federal employees, DD-214 or Statement of Service for military service, disability letter if applicable, professional certifications, and SF-15 if applicable

Area of Consideration

Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: current permanent VA employees of the facility, all other VA employees, all other federal applicants, and all other applicants.