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.
- English Language Proficiency: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.
Education: To qualify applicants must have met (1) of the following:
- Be a graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) at the time the 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.
OR
- 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.
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.
Grade specific requirements:
GS-3 Licensed Practical Nurse
- None beyond the basic requirements
GS-4 Licensed Practical Nurse:
- Education and/or Experience: In addition to meeting basic requirements, 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.
Experience:
- Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN;
OR
Education:
- Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) 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;
OR
- Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
GS-5 Licensed Practical Nurse: In addition to meeting basic requirements:
Experience:
- LPNs at the GS 5 grade level must have completed at least (1) one year of qualifying experience at the GS 4 level or equivalent that demonstrate a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO.
AND
- You must also possess the required KSA's as outlined in the assessment.
GS-6 Licensed Practical Nurse: In addition to meeting basic requirements, LPNs at the GS 6 grade level must have:
Experience-
- 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 and is technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. 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.
AND
- You must also possess the required KSA's as outlined in the assessment.
Preferred Experience: 1-2 years of med/surg experience.
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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 3-6 .
Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided and are to be used to preserve patient and staff safety. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation