Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent Miami VA Healthcare System facility employees only. NOTE: The two-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

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

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at the GS-7 level is expected to exercise independent technical judgment. The LPN is directly responsible to the Registered Nurse (RN) and/or the MD/DO for performing identified responsibilities within the scope of their education and employment, as well as for the quality of care provided and their personal and professional conduct.

The LPN is accountable to the Nurse Manager or their designee for completing patient assignments and for effectively communicating patient responses to the designated RN and/or MD/DO. Care provided must be safe, effective, and timely. The LPN is expected to embrace and support the guiding principles of the Medical Center, performing their duties in a way that promotes quality health care, outstanding customer service, and a commitment to serving veterans.

The LPN GS-7 is expected to exercise independent technical judgment in care and demonstrate competency in dealing with a high volume of patients with chronic and acute wounds and other skin related conditions. The incumbent performs a wide range of nursing care according to established protocols, policies, and procedures.

Other duties include but not limited to:

• Being responsible and accountable for individual nursing practices
• Possessing the knowledge and skills to carry out more specialized patient care activities; this knowledge base includes the use of Veteran care data to initiate active contributions to the Veteran's overall health plan
• Preparing and administering prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous), and performing treatments according to established policies and procedures
• Observing for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's health condition, which may include prescribed medications/treatments
• Working in collaboration with the Wound Care provider (MD (Medical Doctor), Nurse Practitioner (NP), or Registered Nurse (RN) to manage the continuance of care for Veterans with ongoing wound care problems (pain, healing concerns, dressings, and comfort)
• Promptly and accurately document identified changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN/provider
• Selecting the most appropriate treatment order within the LPNs scope of practice
• Demonstrating the ability to work independently without the need for readily available supervision
• Promptly recognizing potentially urgent or emergent care situations, such as potentially infected or worsening status of wounds and seeks assistance of the Wound Care RN/Nurse Manager and/or Provider for appropriate team intervention
• Documenting all interactions, observations, interventions and outcomes
• Promoting and demonstrating nursing concepts in the Medical Center
• Communicating effectively with the Veteran, families, caregivers, professionals, and other supportive staff
• Participating in quality improvement activities in the wound care program that include, but not limited to participation in quarterly pressure ulcer prevalence audits and data collection entry on pressure ulcers

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
(Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs).
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)
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

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 identification 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

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• 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.
• Licensure: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or District of Columbia

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).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic qualification requirements, the following qualification criteria must be met for the LPN GS-7 grade level. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for this grade level. The GS-7 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment:

• Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 grade level or equivalent, fully meeting all the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN.
• Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings.
• Ability to assist RN and/or MD/D to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery
• Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribe medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations
• Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes
• Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels
• Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices
• Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery
• Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and providing leadership in assisting other staff

Preferred Experience: Two (2) or more years of LPN experience

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

How you will be evaluated

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

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.