Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) 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 by the applicant
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing - 61 Broadway - 33rd Floor - New York - NY 10006
• 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
• 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
• 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 of the United States
• An LPN who has or has ever had - any license revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3 - section B - paragraph 16 of this part
• Physical Standards
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: GS-3. None beyond the basic requirements
• LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license
• GS-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN
• Graduation from an approved school and 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
• 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-5 Completion of at least 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
• 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 with patients - family members - professional and 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
• 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 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
• 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
• Completed work only a general review by a registered nurse or physician appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures
• Ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs for care - medication - equipment-assisted care and patient/family education
• In organizing/ delivering care - the LPN recognizes/ considers emotional - cultural - spiritual - socio-economic - and age-related factors
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 23 - 2025
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be October 14 - 2025 - with weekly cut-off dates on Tuesdays going forward
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
• Major Duties: Uses sounds clinical judgment - demonstrates the ability to vary the order and sequence of assignments based on patient' conditions and needs
• Utilizes knowledge of physical - social and emotional factors when planning patient care and uses this knowledge effectively in day to day interactions with patients and families
• Recognizes deviations from normal and demonstrates the ability to respond to patients' immediate and long term needs
• Performs complex treatments and procedures with exceptional skill and knowledge
• As needed - prepares and administers medications correctly and understands the action and side effects of all medications administered
• Performs complex treatments and procedures with exceptional skill and knowledge
• Demonstrates age specific competency in delivering nursing care to clients from age 18 and over
• Is able to distinguish the health needs related to age differences including the effects of substance abuse problems on the physical health of patients and provide age appropriate care
• Participates in Interdisciplinary Treatment Team meetings to assist in developing rehabilitative treatment goals for patients in the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Program (MHRRTP) program
• As needed - provides escort duties to veterans based on their care needs
• Delivers nursing care as needed and directed at any of the two sites comprising the VA Butler Healthcare System - i.e. - emergency situation - staffing shortage - special projects
• Applies knowledge of effective verbal interventions and preventative tactics when confronted with an aggressive and potentially assaultive patient
• Utilizes knowledge of physical - social and emotional factors when planning patient care and uses this knowledge appropriately in emergency situations
• during 1 :1 intervention or when 911 needs to be contacted
• Recognizes and initiates life saving measures appropriately in the absence of other members of the health care team
• Participates in planning and/or implementation of 911 or 1:1 services
• Co-conducts groups to educate patients on medical aspects of their care while allowing them to share feelings - improve socialization skills and enhance their self-esteem
• Applies knowledge of human behavior and the various degrees of physical and mental impairment - is able to modify patient/family teaching methods
• Assists the professional nurse and allied health professionals in planning implementation of patient educational and recreational activities
• Motivates patients to participate in learning and recreational activities to improve their quality of life
• Recognizes patient care management difficulties or problems and makes suggestions for change
• Communicates with residents and families in a calming reassuring and supportive manner
• Assesses acute and subtle changes consistently in patients' mental and physical condition and intervenes appropriately
• Adjusts assignments or prioritizes care based on his/her assessment of overall workload of the treatment team and patient care needs
• Documents patient/resident response to the treatment plan - group therapy - patient education and other planned activities
• Observes patient/residents of the MHRRTP per program guidelines and more frequently if clinically indicated
• Recognizes and reports signs of physical and emotional abuse of patients - family and significant others
• Establishes therapeutic relationships with MHRRTP residents and members of the treatment team
• Maintains courtesy during telephone and direct verbal interactions with patient - families and visitors
• Has ability to elicit feelings - attitudes and promote positive communication and social skills with patients/residents
• Motivates others to support Medical Center/Service Line and MHRRTP policies and procedures
• Demonstrates leadership with LPNs of lesser grade - social service assistants and health technicians in planning and implementing resident/patient care
• Provides assistance to team members in managing difficult patients when acting as a team leader
• Work Schedule: Rotating hours - weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible: Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VHAVISN04HREDRP@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more