Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

LPN VA 25 pay scale

The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. The LPN also performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, outstanding customer service, and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran.

Duties:

• Assists with data collection for outpatients and new admissions.
• Observes, reports, and documents signs and symptoms of patient's general condition.
• Provides direct nursing care to adult and geriatric patients according to nursing standards and Medical Center policy and procedure. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Bathing, showering, oral care, shaving, nail care, feeding, turning, positioning, and ambulating as directed.
  • Collecting and labeling specimens, e.g. sputum, emesis, urine, and stools.
  • Performing enterostomal care, perinea! care, administering enemas, and colostomy irrigations.
  • Providing bowel/bladder training, applying external urinary devices, and performing bladder catheterization.
  • Providing oral, nasopharyngeal, and tracheal care.
  • Administering oxygen as directed.
  • Administering enteral feedings.
  • Providing wound care as ordered and reporting any changes and/or progress to the RN.
  • Applying abdominal binders, anti-embolic stockings, ace bandage, and alternating pressure boots as directed.
  • Providing for lifting, moving, transferring, and/or transporting patients.
  • Using patient lifting devices, pressure relief mattresses, hyper/hypothermia blankets, electronic scales, and feeding pumps.
  • Applying protective/supporting devices, restraints as directed and per policy. m.
  • Providing post-mortem care as directed.
  • Implements established care plans.
  • Reports and documents progress or changes in patient's behavior and/or physical condition to the RN and in the medical record.
  • Provides care for pre-operative and post-operative patients, including those having special procedures and treatments.
  • Obtains and records VSs (temperature, B/P, Pulse Oximetry, l&O, heights, weights, and glucose monitoring).
  • Collects sterile and non-sterile specimens.
  • Administers oral, subcutaneous, and intramuscular medications.
  • Performs a range of treatment procedures as direct which includes, but not limited to: application of hot and cold packs, sterile dressing changes, urethral cauterization, external catheter care, suctioning of the mouth, pharynx and tracheostomy, tracheostomy care, enteral feedings, colostomy and urostomy care, irrigation of wounds, bladder and eye, use of specialized equipment such as Bair Hugger, and oxygen apparatus.
  • Other duties as assigned

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule: Based on needs of the service
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)
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 #: 71152-F, 71153-F, 71154-F or 71155-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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

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 accredited by the Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Inc. (ACEN) at the time the program was completed by the applicant.
• Licensure - Condition of employment. Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e. Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia. An LPN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probation status may be appointed only in accordance with regulations issued by the Under Secretary for Health or designee.
• Proficient in spoken and written English - as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d)

Grade Determination
In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidates qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.
GS-3. None beyond the basic requirements. [LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform
all duties within the scope of their license (e.g., medication administration); however, completed work
may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties
involved.]
GS-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in
paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below:
(a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or
(b) Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of
Section (C) and 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
(c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
(d) 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, and to operate in
accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques.]
GS-5
(a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.
(b) 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 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.]
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
(e) 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.
(f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety
hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
(g) 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
(a) 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
(b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care
to variable patient populations.
(c) Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients'
conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and
treatments; and to accurately recognize, report and record relevant] patient information. Completed
work [should need] only a general review by a registered nurse [(RN) or physician (MD/DO)] for
appropriateness and conformity with [established policies/procedures.
(d) Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for [care, including]
medication, equipment-assisted care and [patient/family education]. In [organizing and delivering]
care, the [LPN recognizes and] considers emotional , cultural, spiritual, socio-economic,
and age-related] factors.
[(e) Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular
and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for
physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments,
promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN
or MD/DO.
(f) Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of
the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
(g) Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to
situations, and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients,
family members, and other staff.
(h) Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings
and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. Fosters an
environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of
care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service
standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers.
(i) Knowledge and 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 and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, and monitoring the
patient's condition before, during, and following the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting,
educating, and training less experienced LPNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these
more complex, specialized tests/procedures.
(j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing
new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5005, Part III, Chapter 2, paragraph 7, and VA Handbook 5019, Occupational Health Services. All applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the duties of the position. Must be able to lift (30 lbs or more); twisting and/or bending, standing and/or walking almost constantly during the course of the day

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.