Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens. Note: Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.

Videos

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

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The Licensed Practical Nurse is held accountable for delivering direct patient care to adult through geriatric aged patients. They recognizes the age-related needs and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate to that age group while considering the cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the patients, demonstrating competence and correctly providing appropriate care for that age group or groups.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Serves as an active member of the healthcare team with professional and supportive personnel;
• Attends meeting with the inter-disciplinary treatment team and contributes to the development and changes in the comprehensive treatment plans;
• Demonstrates the ability to vary the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the knowledge of the patient's condition;
• Assumes the responsibility for patients, in accordance with standards and recommendations, with the Registered Nurse (RN) ultimately responsible;
• Identifies environmental hazards and initiates appropriate intervention;
• Adheres to safety regulations and infection control practices as outlined in the policy and procedure manuals;
• Collects data and collaborates in the assessment of the health status of a patient;
• Implements aspects of the plan of care as delegated;
• Participates in health screening, clinical reminders, telephone calls and treatments as assigned;
• Participates in the evaluation of patient responses to interventions;
• Recognizes, reports and records promptly change in physical condition and behavior of patients;
• Completes routine documentation of results of care and treatment according to policy, guidelines, instructions/templates utilizing the electronic record and information network;
• Uses proper channels to resolve ethical issues;
• Differentiates between emergent and non-emergent conditions. Reports promptly and accurately records critical/emergency situations;
• Ability to draw, centrifuge and package lab samples when indicated.
• Promotes a safe and therapeutic environment. Identifies potentially dangerous or emergency situations and takes appropriate action. Utilizes safety equipment and other devices/procedures appropriately;
• Provides input into the development of policies and procedures to support patient safety;
• Takes proper precautions to prevent injury to self, patients and others;
• Identifies and reports unsafe conditions to appropriate officials;
• Observes standard precautions;
• Serves as an advocate for the patient by communicating and collaborating with other health service personnel as delegated;
• Is sensitive to the individual patient's needs and responds so that a therapeutic relationship is established;
• Demonstrates common courtesy to patients, family members, visitors and staff. Responds to requests for assistance promptly and in a professional manner;
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full-time, 8-4:30pm (Tour of Duty will be determined based on the need of the facility.)
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 650-F05311/F05310/F05309/F05308
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

• Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
• This position is a LIUNA Bargaining Unit position.
• This position is covered by a special rate.
• Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
• This position is in the Excepted Service.

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 dentification 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:

• United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• 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.
• Education. Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved/accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant.
  • OR,
    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.
       • OR,
    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.
       • OR,
    3. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:
In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must meet the following grade requirements.

GS-3 Grade Level:

• None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 Grade Level:

• Experience. Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN;
  • OR,
• Education. Graduated from an approved school of at least 24 months duration;
  • OR,
• Combination. Graduated from an approved school and one year experience that involves 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.

GS-5 Grade Level:

• Experience. One year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-4)
  • AND,
• In addition to the above one year experience for the GS-5 grade level, applicants must also demonstrate the below Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  1. 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.]
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
  6. 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, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review.]

GS-6 Grade Level:

• Experience. At least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent,
  • AND,
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
  1. Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
  2. 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.
  3. Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education.
  4. 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.
  5. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
  6. Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations, and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members, and other staff.
  7. Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers.
  8. Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which include preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, and monitoring the patient's condition before, during, and following the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures.
  9. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Experience within Primary Care Service or Primary Care office equivalent;
• 1 year LPN experience

REFERENCES:
VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Please see VA Handbook and Directive 5019, Employee 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.

Resume Reminder:
Your resume must include the following information each job listed:

• Job title
• Duties (be as detailed as possible)
• Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
• Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
• Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

An incomplete application will receive a rating of IFFM (ineligible due to missing forms). Requests for reconsideration will not be considered for applicants who fail to submit a complete application package. We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software or fax transmissions.

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.