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. Program 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.

Qualifications

***This is an open continuous announcement until September 26 - 2025. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. *** 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: 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
• 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 as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-6 Experience: In addition to meeting basic requirements - LPNs at the GS 6 grade level must have completed at least (1) one year of qualifying experience at the GS 5 level or equivalent and fully meet all performance requirements for the GS 5 LPN
• 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
• 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 should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures
• Ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs for care - including medication - equipment-assisted care and patient/family education
• In organizing and delivering care - the LPN/LVN recognizes and 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
• 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: We are seeking a practical nurse with essential experience in clinic nursing and face-to-face patient care
• The ideal candidate must be able to work closely with physicians and demonstrate the capability to learn various clinic competencies
• This position requires technical skills relevant to several surgical and specialty clinics
• while not mandatory - experience in surgical and specialty clinics
• While not mandatory - experience in surgical and specialty clinics - sterile techniques - and specimen collection will be advantageous
• additionally - we are looking for a self-motivated individual - and leadership experience would be a significant plus
• 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-06
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 and local LPN/LVN physical standards
• "Pursuant to Executive Order 14251 - "Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs -" the VA has determined that the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is no longer subject to the provisions of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute
• As a result - VA no longer engages in collective bargaining with the American Federation of Government Employees - AFL-CIO (AFGE)
• National Association of Government Employees (NAGE)
• National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE)
• National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU)
• and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and existing collective bargaining agreements with those unions are no longer in effect"

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) 6 is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran
• The LPN/LVN also performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care - outstanding customer service - and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran
• The GS-6 LPN/LVN performs within this functional statement under guidance of the Nurse Manager or designee
• Assigned tasks require basic technical competence and skill
• The GS-6 LPN/LVN is expected to be able to function at the fully successful level for all key elements at the GS-5 Level
• The GS-6 is a full performance functional level for the LPN/LVN occupation for providing practical nursing care with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Functions of Assigned Duties: (must be unit specific to the area assigned) Possesses the knowledge and skills to carry out more specialized patient care activities
• This knowledge base includes the use of Veteran care data to initiate active contributions - and observations of Veteran's present status that are made and interventions implemented to improve - restore - or maintain the optimal function of the veteran
• Has knowledge of surgery services and carries out objectives of the surgical services clinics
• In doing this - follows the guidelines to meet and maintain quality veteran outcomes
• Contributes to the development of the plan of care for assigned Veterans outlining program modalities and updates per policy and as changes occur
• This plan of care is completed with general review and co-signature by the RN or MD - utilizing a broad knowledge base and expertise in order to develop and modify treatment plans to meet the veteran and the family's expectations
• Promotes and demonstrates nursing concepts
• Works in collaboration with surgical service staff and physicians in the multiple different surgical clinics
• Administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular - etc.) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• The LPN observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's health condition - which may include prescribed medications/treatments - to promptly and accurately documenting identified changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to the RN - NP and/or MD/DO
• Is adept at encouraging and communicating with challenging psychological and physical behaviors to promote optimal functioning
• Uses treatment modalities and implements appropriate practices and procedures with complex patients
• Utilizes skills to influence and communicate with difficult and challenging veterans and families
• Demonstrates the ability to work independently in the many surgical surgery clinics
• Can be assigned to any of the surgical clinics and has already obtained the knowledge and can work without supervision to keep the unit working seamlessly
• Communicates effectively with the Veterans - families - caregivers - professionals - and other supportive staff
• Other duties can be assigned
• Work Schedule: 7:00am to 4:30pm flex Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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
• Functional Statement #: 60764-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized