Practical Nurse

Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies, and all US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provides practical nursing care to assigned Veterans under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) and/or Provider, ensuring tasks are completed in accordance with VA policies, procedures, and professional standards.

• Performs technical nursing tasks such as vital signs measurement, medication administration (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous as qualified), specimen collection, wound care, and assistance with diagnostic procedures.

• Initiates, monitors, assesses, and discontinues intravenous lines and fluids, documents interventions and observations in the electronic health record, and promptly reports changes in patient condition to the RN or Provider.

• Recognizes urgent or emergent situations and responds appropriately, including assisting with CPR or emergency care and obtaining necessary equipment under the direction of higher-level staff.

• Delivers care that supports the physical, emotional, and developmental needs of patients, considering age-specific requirements and involving patients and families in care planning when appropriate.

• Documents all care provided, observations, and patient/family education in accordance with legal, ethical, and VA privacy and security regulations.

• Demonstrates effective communication and interpersonal skills, maintaining a positive, respectful, and customer service-oriented environment with Veterans, families, and colleagues.

• Participates in training, competency validation, prevention and management of disruptive behavior (PMDB), unit meetings, and ongoing education activities as required by VA and service line policies.

• Complies with infection control and patient safety standards, proper use and cleaning of equipment, and safe patient handling protocols to prevent injury to patients and staff.

• Maintains flexibility with schedule and assignments to meet operational needs, and supports quality improvement initiatives and special projects as assigned.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule: Full Time, 7:30am- 4:00pm, Monday-Friday
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
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)
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: Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• 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.
• 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 Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant.
  • Health care education/training in the military service accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed is considered to meet this requirement.
  • VHA employees converted to appointments under certain public laws may be eligible for educational waivers. See VA Qualification Standard for details.
• Licensure: Full, active, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Grandfathering Provision: Individuals may qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation. This provision applies only to current VHA employees in this occupation who meet the criteria. If claiming grandfather status, ensure this is noted in your application and is addressed in the assessment questionnaire.

• 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-4:

• Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR
• Graduation from an approved school and one year of experience in a clinical role; OR
• Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.

GS-5:

• Completion of at least one 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.
• Demonstrated 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 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.
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
• 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:

• Technically proficient in initiating, performing & completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
• Knowledge & ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patient' conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order & sequence of procedures & treatments; & to accurately recognize, report & record relevant] patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness & conformity with established policies/procedures.
• Ability to observe, identify, & respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care, & patient/family education.
• Prepare & administer prescribed medication (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous) & performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly & accurately documenting noted changes, & reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO.
• Knowledge & ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, & initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Knowledge & understanding of human behavior, patient motivations & reactions to situations, & ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members, & other staff.
• Establish constructive relationships with individual patients & their families to elicit feelings & attitudes, & to promote positive relationships, communication, & socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient & family rights to privacy & dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge & understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, &, or other internal/external customers.
• Knowledge & 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 & handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, & monitoring the patient's condition before, during, & following the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, & training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures.
• Actively seek out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge & skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve & advance nursing practice.

Please ensure that your application and resume clearly demonstrate the level of experience and competency required for the grade to which you are applying.

Preferred Experience:

• Three (3) years of Licensed Practical Nurse experience.
• Three (3) years of Primary Care and/or Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) experience.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, pleas 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-4 to GS-6.

Physical Requirements: This position requires walking, standing, bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, kneeling, and potential exposure to infectious patients and contaminated materials. Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity are essential. Must be able to work effectively under stressful situations and shift priorities based on patient needs. Annual employee health requirements (such as TB screening/testing) are required.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Note: Veterans' Preference does not apply to this occupation, effective 10/01/25.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• License
• Other (1)
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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