Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens. NOTE: The two-page resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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The LPN serves as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team with an assigned patient load. The incumbent engages in nursing care, which requires the knowledge and skills represented by licensed as an LPN. The LPN maintains acceptable standards of practice under the direction of the nurse manager or designee, and has the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties. These duties include assignments in selected, more complex, inpatient and/or outpatient care settings.

Other duties include but are not limited to:

• Promptly recognizing potentially urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeking assistance of the Registered Nurse (RN) and/or Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)/Physician for appropriate team intervention, and effectively intervenes. Patient population consists of mostly elderly, chronically ill patients requiring astute observation of subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and requires appropriate actions based on these observations.
• Performing procedures such as application of external urinary catheters; routine Foley catheter care; irrigation of Foley catheters, including the set-up and replacing of solutions for continuous Foley catheter irrigations; irrigation of nasogastric tubes and established colostomies; inserting and discontinuing Foley catheters; giving regular and medicated enemas; changing complicated extensive sterile dressings; performing finger sticks
• Carrying out respiratory treatments such as postural drainage, chest physiotherapy; sets up and initiates oxygen therapy, including nebulization treatments; performs oropharngeal, nasopharyngeal and tracheal suctioning, performs routine tracheostomy care, instructs patient in use of incentive spirometer; monitors and records observations of chest tubes and pleurovacs; assembles water-sealed chest drainage systems
• Observing for physical and/or emotional changes in patients' condition from prescribed medications/treatments
• Monitoring and regulating the flow of intravenous fluids manually or via infusion pumps and reporting observations to the registered nurse; observing IV site for infiltration and inflammation and reporting to the Registered Nurse; changes peripheral IV and saline lock dressings; changing IV solution administration sets following established protocols; discontinues peripheral intravenous catheters when authorized by the Registered Nurse; monitoring and adding maintenance IV fluids (as approved) via mini-bags, prepared by pharmacy, through an existing peripheral line/saline lock
• Preparing and administering prescribed medications (oral and intramuscular), including PRN medications orders, after carefully assessing the patient's condition; observing effectiveness and documenting observations in the clinical record. Administers vaccines, administers, reads and records PPD's
• Assisting selected patients with rehabilitation such as range of motion, ambulation, positioning, and self-help activities of daily living; assisting with bowel and bladder training programs. Assists and instructs patients on how to keep lungs clear.
• Entering information about the patient's condition, an assessment of the patient's condition and a plan of action to carry out nursing care
• Measuring and recording vital signs, neurochecks, intake and output, weights; collecting urine, stool, sputum and drainage specimens; measuring and recording PH from nasogastric tubes; measuring and recording urine specific gravity

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

Work Schedule: Shift; 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; 3:30 p.m. - midnight; 11:30 p.m. - 8:00 a.m.- Rotating Shifts
(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/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
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.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

• 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/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 one or two-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

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement.

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: All applicants must meet the following basic qualifications.

• United States Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen
• 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.
  • Exceptions:
    • Health care education or training in the military service
    • 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
    • Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• 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.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS: In addition to the basic requirements, the following qualification criteria must be met for the GS-7 grade level. The GS-7 grade level is for select, complex LPN 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.

• (a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 grade level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN. Examples of experience include, but is not limited to work in which you: initiate, perform, and complete assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations; 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; observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education, etc.
• (b) Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings.
• (c) Ability to assist RN and/or physician to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery.
• (d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or physician in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.)
• (e) Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery.
• (f) Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes.
• (g) Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media.
• (h) Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care.

NOTE: Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit. Although these positions are under the supervision of a RN and/or physician, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision), as well as a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of patients.

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-7.

Physical Requirements: Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation as required by VA Handbook 5019. This evaluation is administered by VA Occupational Health.

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.

Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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.