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Licensed Practical Nurse

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
10/18/2022 to 03/23/2023
Salary
$28,758 to - $52,341 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 00
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Tuscaloosa, AL
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
6
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
CBTB-11691236-23-TP
Control number
683700600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

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Duties

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Mental Health functions as an integral member of the interdisciplinary treatment team that assesses the needs of patients; plans, implements and evaluates quality nursing care to meet acute mental health care needs. Geriatrics & Extended Care provides skilled nursing care, and supportive personal care including the Restorative Care Program, Hospice Care, Long Term Care, and inpatient rehabilitation care in an inter professional environment to include social, recreational, and spiritual care in a culturally transformed and patient centered environment.

  • The duties of the position include but are not limited to the following:
    • Prepare and perform a wide range of nursing tasks consistent with policies and procedures, such as personal nursing care, medication/treatment, support for diagnostic services, documentation, teaching, leadership and environmental duties.
    • Complete assigned duties and responsibilities which involve performing nonstandard and specialized practical nursing activities, requiring broad work experience and demonstrated skill sufficient to resolve a range of complex nursing problems.
    • Search for missing Veterans, person search, environmental contraband search, verifying Veteran's presence, etc.
    • Maintain a therapeutic environment, milieu, and cultural transformation.
    • Assure the assignment of special observation status, including restraint and seclusion is completed according to policy. Uses wireless computing skills to increase engagement with Veterans.
    • Exhibit de-escalation communication skills to prevent unsafe situations.
    • Demonstrate communication skills that promote rapport and trust in Mental Health Recovery.
    • Provide Veteran/Family Centered Care throughout the assignment.
    • Perform skilled nursing care on a regular and re-occurring basis for critically ill Veterans that may exhibit a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.
    • Facilitate Veteran rights and encourages them to meet their responsibilities as Veterans.
    • Participate in the team process for improvement and implementation of change.
    • Assist in the maintenance of a safe, clean and therapeutic environment.
    • Respond to fire and other disasters, drills and practices conservation of supplies and energy.
    • Administer medications and treatment to patients that may exhibit a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.
Work Schedule: Shifts may vary depending upon unit of placement
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact Tonya.Gibson@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • 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).
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • 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 program was completed by the applicant. 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.]
  • 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
  • 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).
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:
  • GS-03 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-04 Six (6) months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR Graduation from an approved school and one (1) 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. 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 to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques.
  • GS-05 Completion of at least one (1) year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.
  • GS-06 Completion of] at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13. Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. 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: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over);Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Kneeling (up to 8 hours); Both legs required or prosthesis; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Ability to read typewritten characters, glasses permitted; Ability to hear the whispered voice, hearing aid permitted.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.


If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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, résumé, 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.

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