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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- 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
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 In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
- 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. Exceptions include 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 granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN.
- Licensure Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e. Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia.
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 In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.
GS 03 None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g., medication administration); however completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved.
GS 04 Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or
Graduation from an approved school which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section
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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
GS 05
Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.
Demonstrate knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients
with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Work with the RN and MD/DO to
train LPNs/LVNs and Nursing Assistants /Health Technicians. Provide effective education to patients and family members in relation to common disease process, medication and prescribe treatment regimes.
Demonstrate 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.
Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer and appropriately document actions taken
specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravenous
medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures. Observe and
document patient's response to medication and the report 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 pulmonary arrest.
Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety
hazards and supply deficiencies, promptly report to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
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 06
- Completion of at least 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.
- Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions and use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments.
Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education.
Prepare and administer prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) perform treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observe for physical and 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 MD/DO and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to
situations.
Establish constructive relationships with individual patients and their families. Foster an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy. Incorporate knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members and other internal/external customers.
Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and specialized practices or procedures. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating and training less experienced LPNs/L VNs or NAs/HTs.
Actively seek out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills.
Preferred Experience
At least 1 year of previous LPN/LVN experience preferably in an outpatient or primary care setting.
Experience performing phlebotomy, specimen collection and processing.
Experience with telehealth technologies, including as a tele-presenter facilitating video and virtual visits.
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 to GS-6.
Physical Requirements LPN's must be able to perform work that requires regular and recurrent walking, bending, lifting 45+ pounds, stooping, reaching, stretching, and supporting various weights. The position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech and manual dexterity. Frequent pushing medication carts, wheelchairs, lifts and beds. LPN's must be able to care for Veterans with various medical and psychiatric issues. Veterans may exhibit unpredictable behavior. Must be able to work closely with others, have sufficient hearing to respond to various alarms and must be able to communicate verbal and in writing. LPN's will make caring for the veteran their priority while working and demonstrate customer service principles in all aspects of work. LPN's is subject to exposure to communicable diseases. The use of personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, gloves and protective clothing is required and LPN's will have exposure to biohazard materials and sharps.
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 for 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.