Requirements
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.
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 [Accrediting Commission], 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006.
Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. Exceptions include
(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.
(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.
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. An LPN[/LVN] who has or has ever had, any license(s)
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.
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-7. The GS-7 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN 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.
(a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level
or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6
LPN/LVN. including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings.
(B)Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively
contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out
assigned nursing interventions. Positions at this grade level require 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.
(c) Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs
and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious
changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly
documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate
modification of the patient's care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by
informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention.
At this grade level, the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing,
and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. They must also possess the ability to
observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking
appropriate action based on those observations.
(d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for
medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments
according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and
patient's response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted
medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.)
Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and
symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of
observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions.
Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to
these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels.
(e) Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care
situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and
effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic
patient care delivery. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the
patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively
intervene when appropriate.
(f) Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in
promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill 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. This includes
the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision.
(g) Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care
delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in
committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media.
Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all
aspects of their practice.
(h) Possesses 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. Serves as a role model and mentor to
other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and
directing their continuing practice in these areas.
(i) Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or nonmedical
staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice
patterns to the RN or MD/DO. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the
LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff.
(j) Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general
supervision. Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, expected to
exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive
working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. The staff mix is
such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of
considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision.
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 7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 7.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
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.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
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.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.