Clarification from the agency

Current Greater Los Angeles VA employees will be given 1st consideration. SF-50 must be submitted as proof of current employment. If you do not submit SF-50, you will not be given 1st consideration. 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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Duties include but are not limited to:

Patient Care & Clinical Responsibilities

• Demonstrates technical proficiency in initiating, performing, and completing a broad range of nursing duties for residents with diverse medical, mental-health, and psychosocial needs.
• Provides direct patient care, including medication administration, treatments, wound care, health monitoring, and supportive care in accordance with LVN scope of practice.
• Selects and sequences care procedures based on assessed resident needs and clinical judgement.

Assessment, Observation & Reporting

• Recognizes and appropriately responds to subtle or less obvious physical and emotional changes in a Veteran's condition.
• Documents observations thoroughly and reports changes requiring higher-level intervention to the RN or provider in a timely manner.
• Contributes to ongoing assessments and care planning discussions.

Emergency Response & Safety

• Identifies emergency situations promptly and initiates appropriate preliminary interventions.
• Assists in resuscitation procedures as indicated and seeks RN or provider support immediately.
• Maintains awareness of environmental safety needs, correcting or reporting hazards and equipment malfunctions.

Medication & Treatment Management

• Ensures safe, accurate medication administration, including controlled substances following VA policy.
• Monitors and documents Veteran reaction to medications and treatments, reporting concerning findings.
• Maintains medication storage areas and assists with medication reconciliation when required.

Care Coordination & Treatment Plan Involvement

• Actively contributes to the development, revision, and modification of individualized treatment plans.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to coordinate care across residential, outpatient, and specialty service
• Guides residents in understanding treatment goals and encourages adherence to therapeutic activities.

Documentation

• Documents care accurately and independently in approved VA systems.
• Ensures that documentation reflects assessments, interventions, responses, and significant clinical information in compliance with VHA policy.
• Work requires general review, indicating full-performance proficiency.

Resident Support & Therapeutic Environment

• Reinforces program expectations, supports recovery-oriented engagement, and models respectful communication.
• Encourages independence, self-management, and participation in programming and whole-health activities.

Infection Control & Environmental Responsibilities

• Adheres to infection-control protocols, ensures cleanliness, and promotes sanitation within residential spaces.
• Participates in environmental rounds and helps maintain a safe, recovery-focused environment.

Work Schedule: Night Shift, 7:30pm - 8:00am - Including weekends and holidays
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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.
Functional Statement #: 00000
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 evaluation.
• 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: United States Citizenship
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).
• Education or Training: Must be a graduate of a practical or vocational nursing program approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing at the time the program was completed by the applicant, or have you completed Health care education in the military service or training in the military service.
• 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.

Grade Determinations:
GS-3 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 Experience: At least (6) six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN. OR Graduation from an approved school and have (1) 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 Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.

GS-5 Experience: Completion of at least one year at the GS-4 level or equivalent of qualifying experience as an LPN and can demonstrate the following: 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) 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. 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. 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. 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. Recognize and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.

GS-6 Experience: Completion of at least one year at the GS 5 level or equivalent of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS 5 LPN and am technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Completed work needs only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (ND/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures.

Preferred Experience:

• 1-2 years of experience in Mental Health.
• Experience independently obtaining and trending vital signs, pain scores, targeted assessments, health histories, and clinical screenings (PHQ-9, AUDIT-C, suicide risk, fall risk, etc.).
• Experience recognizing subtle clinical changes and initiating appropriate actions while notifying the RN or provider.
• Experience performing EKGs.
• Experience with glucose monitoring and specialty point-of-care testing.
• Experience assisting with complex wound care.
• Experience performing ear lavage.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G13

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06.

Physical Requirements: Lifting, pushing and pulling up to 35lbs Walking, standing, stooping, bending, kneeling for up to 4-6 hours intermittently. Pushing for up to 4-5 hours intermittently. Reaching above the shoulder required. Carrying up to 15lbs

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.