Practical Nurse

Summary

The Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) performs a variety of supportive, nursing and medical tasks necessary to the care of patients during diagnostic and therapeutic visits to any ECHCS VA Primary Care Clinic location. The Licensed Practical Nurse's (LPN) practice is modeled on the standards established within the VHA model for Patient Aligned Care Teams.

Duties

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This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 4/22/2026. Initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 12/01/2025, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals.

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Duties & skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to:

• Provides a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Is able to perform routine evaluation of patients while in the clinic setting by obtaining current symptoms & complaints, observing the patient's condition, behavior, & response to treatments and/or medications.
• Documents appropriate information in the patient record & reports & significant deviations to the RN and/or provider.
• Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and/or prescribed treatment regimes.
• Recognizes the need for & institutes cardiopulmonary resuscitation measures when indicated in accordance with established medical center policy & procedure. Independently performs coordinating duties related to the operation of the clinic such as ordering & maintaining supplies & medications & obtaining patient data.
• Recognizes & appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, & supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Performs other assignments designated by the RN or clinic providers which are
  
  essential to patient care & appropriate personnel for corrective action. Performs other assignments designated by the RN or clinic providers which are essential to patient care & appropriate to the incumbent's level of training.
• Uses motivational interviewing techniques to guide patients to establish goals. Practices within their nursing scope of practice & functional level, demonstrating & promoting the mission of the VA & ICARE values.
• Set up or reprocess Reusable Medical Equipment as applicable for all equipment for which you have been trained.
• Performs all unit specific nursing interventions & procedures to include but not limited to: Understand & implement the PACT model, PACT Protocols, PACT handbook VHA 1101.10(1), implements, & documents education provided to patients & families.
• Delivers safe care to assigned patients, while developing technical competencies based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice, VHA Directives, & local policies.
• Safely & effectively uses patient care equipment. Reports equipment in need of repair.
• Correctly & safely performs nursing procedures or seeks help when needed.
• Recognizes overt abnormal signs & symptoms and/or changes in patients condition & responds appropriately.
• Responsible for timely implementation of orders & nursing interventions.
• Requests assistance from co-workers when needed; knows when to ask for help.
• Formulates a plan of care based on nursing assessments, using the nursing process, based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice.
• Completes initial assessment of patient condition & response to treatment & initiates follow-up as needed.
• Assesses patient's learning needs, learning preference & readiness to learn.
• Develops & implements a plan to meet learning needs, instructing patients & families in basic health teaching & discharge planning.
• Evaluates & documents patient response to interventions & progress towards attainment of goals & expected outcomes.
• Revises plan of care according to evaluations of patient's responses & outcomes.
• Uses the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) & the Bar Coded Medication Administration (BCMA) software per policy.
• Treats all patients & families with dignity & respect. Listens to & honors patient & family perspectives & choices. Patient & family knowledge, values, beliefs, & cultural backgrounds are incorporated into the planning & delivery of care in a non-judgmental, nondiscriminatory manner (Patient & Family Centered Care).
• Maintains professional boundaries with patients, families, & employees. Behavior as a role model is transparent & above reproach.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 57289-A, 57290-A, 57291-A, 57292-A

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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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 (). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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 & 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.
• 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 by the applicant.

OR

• 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.
• Licensure: Full, active, current & 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.
  
  
  • NOTE: An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic Requirements, candidates must meet requirements for each grade level applied for as outlined below:

GS-03:

None beyond basic requirements.

GS-04:

• Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN.

OR,

• Graduation from an approved school & one year of experience & 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 & sterile techniques & procedures;.

OR,

• Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
• LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, & to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, & techniques.

GS-05:

Requires at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. In addition the following criteria must be met:

• Demonstrated knowledge & 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, & /or prescribed treatment regimes.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team & interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional & other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice.
• Knowledge & 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 & the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO.
• Knowledge & ability to recognize the need for & 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 & 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. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review.

GS-6:

Requires completion of at least one 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. In addition the following criteria must be met:

• Technically proficient in initiating, performing & completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
• Knowledge & ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patient' conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order & sequence of procedures & treatments; & to accurately recognize, report & record relevant] patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (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, & patient/family education.
• Prepare & administer prescribed medication (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 & accurately documenting noted changes, & reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO.
• Knowledge & 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 & reactions to situations, & ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members, & other staff.
• Establish constructive relationships with individual patients & 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, &, or other internal/external customers.
• Knowledge & 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, & training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures.
• Actively seek out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge & skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve & advance nursing practice.

Preferred Experience: 1 year of LPN experience and/or 1 year of Primary Care experience.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 6.

Physical Requirements:

Location of Work: May be assigned to any ECHCS VA Primary Care Clinic. May be required to

drive or ride between location in GSA vehicle.

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: 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:

Additional information

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

Pay: Competitive salary & 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) & 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)

Receiving Service Credit or 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.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.



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