Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens. Veterans' Preference is not applicable for this occupational series. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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

• Initiate and complete structured health screenings, deliver nursing interventions, promote patient safety, and reinforce education and preventive care.
• Assist with ensuring smooth clinic flow and service continuity by completing preventive procedures, nursing tasks, chart reviews, panel scrubbing, daily huddles, and visit preparation.
• Support efficient clinic operations: complete screening reminders, room patients, assist providers, manage room turnover, and place pre-visit calls to prepare patients.
• Contribute to schedule management by reviewing upcoming appointments, identifying alternate care modalities, supporting consult tracking, and serving as backup for post-discharge calls.
• Utilize clinic tools, participate in PACT meetings, and maintain continuity, coordination, and quality of care across the team.

Patient Care & Customer Service:

• Provide patient-focused support by confirming reason for visit, conducting pre-visit outreach, reinforcing instructions, and ensuring patients bring necessary logs and health information.
• Perform pre-visit planning: review records, obtain missing documentation, update clinical changes, and prepare data to support efficient, high-quality appointments.
• Support clinic flow: room patients, collect vital data, complete clinical reminders, assist with routine procedures, administer medications/immunizations, and keep exam rooms clean, safe, and stocked.
• Aid clinical decision-making by reviewing medications/allergies, identifying urgent needs, initiating protocols or clinical pathways (per policy), and relaying key findings to the RN or provider.
• Participate in health coaching, patient education, secure message management, consult tracking, PACT meetings, and follow-up with no-show patients for safety and continuity.

Team Support & Teamwork:

• Participate in pre-planning, daily huddles, and team meetings.
• Assist with immunizations, injections, procedures, prevention efforts, and serve as chaperone when appropriate.
• Collaborate to achieve team access, quality, and patient experience goals, contribute to schedule review and visit modalities, and manage/reroute secure messages.
• Maintain an organized, efficient clinical environment by ensuring rooms are stocked and clean, supplies and equipment are managed, and quality control checks are performed.
• Support care planning and Whole Health by providing input, aiding shared decision-making, and promoting collaborative, patient-centered care.

Progression by Grade:

• Lower grades perform duties under closer supervision; higher grades carry out more complex tasks, require less oversight, provide technical expertise, and orient/train less experienced staff as needed. At advanced levels, LPN/LVNs exhibit sound judgment in complex or specialized care, perform as preceptors, and share knowledge to improve team practice and patient outcomes.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; hours are subject to change based on clinic needs.
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.
Functional Statement #: 99267, 99266, 99265, 99264

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.
• 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

Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)

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. Exceptions include:

1. 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.
2. VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions.
3. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C.

Licensure. Full, active, current and 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.

English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both 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 above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade.

GS-3 LPN/LVN. 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 LPN/LVN. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below:

(a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; 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 operate in accordance with all established policies, procedures, and techniques.

GS-5 LPN/LVN

(a) Completion of at least one 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/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs). 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 appropriately with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating 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. Documentation will include patient response and reporting any changes in condition to RN or MD/DO.
(e) Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures, promptly seek assistance from the RN or MD/DO, and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest.
(f) Recognizes and responds appropriately to equipment breakage/malfunction, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel.
(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, more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer review.

GS-6 LPN/LVN
(a) Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN.
(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 patients' conditions; to use judgment in selecting appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and to accurately recognize, report, and record relevant patient information. Completed work requires only general review by an RN or MD/DO.
(d) Ability to observe, identify, and respond to patient needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education. When organizing and delivering care, the LPN/LVN considers emotional, socioeconomic, 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 changes in condition, documents accurately, and reports deviations to RN or MD/DO.
(f) Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
(g) Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations, and reactions, and ability to utilize this knowledge effectively with patients, families, and staff.
(h) Establishes constructive relationships with patients and families to promote communication and positive interactions. Fosters respect for patient privacy and dignity and incorporates established customer service standards.
(i) Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized procedures, including patient preparation, assistance, handling specialized instruments/equipment, and monitoring before, during, and after procedures. Serves as a preceptor for less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs.
(j) Actively seeks educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge with staff to improve 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 GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.

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.