Clarification from the agency

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

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This is an INTERMITTENT appointment. A part-time or intermittent employee may not be scheduled for employment which will exceed 1820 hours or seven-eighths of full-time employment during a service year.

The Miami VA Healthcare System's Nursing Operations Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to serve as an independent, integral member of the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). Ideal candidates use advanced practical nursing skills, critical thinking & clinical judgement to manage complex primary care assignments under general experience. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center. The LPN will deliver comprehensive and proactive nursing care that advances quality health outcomes, fosters exceptional patient and family-centered service and strengthens an environment dedicated to the care of Veterans. The LPN is expected to exercise independent technical judgments; apply comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing; and perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision.

Other duties include but are not limited to:

• Carrying out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex care settings
• Incorporating current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the Veteran's overall health plan, and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions
• Utilizing broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans
• Assisting RN and/or provider to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery
• Making astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in Veteran's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and Veteran's response to care that could require immediate modification of the Veteran's care plan
• Seeking assistance and guidance, appropriately, by informing RN or provider of changes in Veteran's condition requiring higher-level intervention
• Assisting the RN or provider in addressing the Veteran's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and Veteran's response to medications/treatments received
• Possessing 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
• Assisting individuals or groups of Veterans, families, and/or caregivers to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive Veteran outcomes
• Exercising skills in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions
• Supporting the RN, or provider in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in Veteran's care

Work Schedule: Intermittent / On-Call- as needed
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:99263-FS
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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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

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. (Transcripts/proof of education is required)
  • 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.

The GS-07 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.

• 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 the GS-6 duties include, but are not limited to: technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations; 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; ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education; 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, etc.

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 an RN and/or MD/DO, 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.

Preferred Experience: This is highly desired but not required:

• At least 2 years of Primary Care outpatient 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: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, kneeling, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual, capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. 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.