Practical Nurse
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Marion, IN, United States
Summary
The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is directly responsible to the professional nurse for providing direct care within his/her scope of practice. The LPN works under the direction of an RN. The LPN is responsible for observing, recording, and reporting changes in the patient's condition, and for assisting in the development and revision of the patient-driven holistic life care plan.
Qualifications
Applicants pending 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
Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
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: obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC website.
Exceptions: (1) Health care education or training in the military accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction where the individual is licensed, which qualifies for full LPN/LVN licensure for VHA employment. (2) VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3). (3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.
Licensure: Full, active, current, and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or District of Columbia.
Any LPN/LVN with a license that has ever been revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or held in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with VA Handbook 5005/3, chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16.
Grade Determinations: Additional qualification criteria must be met for each grade.
Grade Specific Requirements
GS-3: No additional requirements beyond the basic requirements.
GS-4:
Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN.
Graduation from an approved school (waivable) plus one year of nursing care experience in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical facility with practical knowledge of body structure and sterile techniques.
Graduation from an approved 24-month program.
LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of GS-3 employees using greater judgment, less supervision, and adherence to all established policies, procedures, and techniques.
GS-5: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Additionally, applicants must 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/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and Nursing Assistants, including Health Technicians.
Provide effective education to patients and/or family members regarding common disease processes, medication, and prescribed treatment regimes.
Serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact appropriately with patients, families, and other personnel, incorporating customer service standards into practice.
Prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken for commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures.
Document observation and reporting of medication responses and any changes in patient condition to the RN or MD/DO.
Recognize the need for and institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seeking assistance of the RN or MD/DO and assisting in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest.
Recognize and appropriately respond to equipment malfunction or loss, safety hazards, and promptly report to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
GS-6: Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate:
Technical proficiency in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
Knowledge and ability to carry out assigned patient care based on patients' conditions.
Use judgment when selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments.
Accurately observe, record, and report relevant patient information.
Prepare and administer prescribed medications and perform treatments according to established policies and procedures.
Observe changes in patient conditions from medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes and reporting deviations to the RN or MD/DO.
Recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
Apply knowledge of human behavior and patient motivations in working effectively with patients, families, and staff.
Establish constructive relationships with patients and families to promote positive communication and socialization skills.
Perform support duties for complex diagnostic tests and specialized procedures.
Serve as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs.
Actively seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills.
Preferred Experience
Long-term care experience and 18 months or more of LPN experience preferred for the evening shift.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Physical Requirements
Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.
Ability to walk, stand, stoop, sit, bend, pull, and push for long periods.
Transfer patients and objects as required.
Use proper preventive techniques to perform duties.
Possibly be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may need to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.
Possibly be exposed to combative patients due to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.
Ability to work effectively in stressful situations, shifting priorities based on patient needs.
Complete annual Employee Health requirements: TB screening or testing as a condition of employment.
Responsibilities
Provide direct nursing care to veterans in a variety of healthcare settings.
Implement practical nursing care for veterans with physical and/or behavioral problems.
Document care provided, observations, and responses on appropriate tools or forms.
Observe changes in veteran's condition, including behavior shifts, mood changes, skin color, appetite, and medication side effects.
Ensure adequate nutritional intake through observation, feeding, or proper positioning and checking placement of feeding tubes.
Administer medications and perform stoma care, suctioning, enema, skin care, dressing changes, and care of prosthetic devices.
Monitor intake and output per established policy and procedure.
Promote veteran autonomy and independence through respect, limit setting, and individualized treatment.
Serve as team leader for a group of veterans and direct care staff, observing nursing care delivered and reporting concerns to the charge nurse.
Reinforce medication education and related health education for veterans on common disease processes and treatment regimes.
Manage dressing procedures and other patient care tasks.
Compensation and Benefits
Work Schedules:
Night shift (4:00 pm-midnight) with rotation – may include weekends and holidays.
Day shift (7:30 am-4:00 pm) with rotation – may include weekends and holidays.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases; higher step rate may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications.
Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off 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.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment—up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment—eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66 for full-time employees with a total family income below $144,000.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% employer contribution.
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 Statements: 91611-0, 91612-0, 91613-0, 91614-0. Permanent Change of Station: Not authorized.
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The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is directly responsible to the professional nurse for providing direct care within his/her scope of practice. The LPN works under the direction of an RN. The LPN is responsible for observing, recording, and reporting changes in the patient's condition, and for assisting in the development and revision of the patient-driven holistic life care plan.
Qualifications
Applicants pending 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
Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
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: obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC website.
Exceptions: (1) Health care education or training in the military accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction where the individual is licensed, which qualifies for full LPN/LVN licensure for VHA employment. (2) VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3). (3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.
Licensure: Full, active, current, and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or District of Columbia.
Any LPN/LVN with a license that has ever been revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or held in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with VA Handbook 5005/3, chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16.
Grade Determinations: Additional qualification criteria must be met for each grade.
Grade Specific Requirements
GS-3: No additional requirements beyond the basic requirements.
GS-4:
Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN.
Graduation from an approved school (waivable) plus one year of nursing care experience in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical facility with practical knowledge of body structure and sterile techniques.
Graduation from an approved 24-month program.
LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of GS-3 employees using greater judgment, less supervision, and adherence to all established policies, procedures, and techniques.
GS-5: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Additionally, applicants must 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/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and Nursing Assistants, including Health Technicians.
Provide effective education to patients and/or family members regarding common disease processes, medication, and prescribed treatment regimes.
Serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact appropriately with patients, families, and other personnel, incorporating customer service standards into practice.
Prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken for commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures.
Document observation and reporting of medication responses and any changes in patient condition to the RN or MD/DO.
Recognize the need for and institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seeking assistance of the RN or MD/DO and assisting in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest.
Recognize and appropriately respond to equipment malfunction or loss, safety hazards, and promptly report to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
GS-6: Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate:
Technical proficiency in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
Knowledge and ability to carry out assigned patient care based on patients' conditions.
Use judgment when selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments.
Accurately observe, record, and report relevant patient information.
Prepare and administer prescribed medications and perform treatments according to established policies and procedures.
Observe changes in patient conditions from medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes and reporting deviations to the RN or MD/DO.
Recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
Apply knowledge of human behavior and patient motivations in working effectively with patients, families, and staff.
Establish constructive relationships with patients and families to promote positive communication and socialization skills.
Perform support duties for complex diagnostic tests and specialized procedures.
Serve as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs.
Actively seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills.
Preferred Experience
Long-term care experience and 18 months or more of LPN experience preferred for the evening shift.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Physical Requirements
Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.
Ability to walk, stand, stoop, sit, bend, pull, and push for long periods.
Transfer patients and objects as required.
Use proper preventive techniques to perform duties.
Possibly be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may need to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.
Possibly be exposed to combative patients due to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.
Ability to work effectively in stressful situations, shifting priorities based on patient needs.
Complete annual Employee Health requirements: TB screening or testing as a condition of employment.
Responsibilities
Provide direct nursing care to veterans in a variety of healthcare settings.
Implement practical nursing care for veterans with physical and/or behavioral problems.
Document care provided, observations, and responses on appropriate tools or forms.
Observe changes in veteran's condition, including behavior shifts, mood changes, skin color, appetite, and medication side effects.
Ensure adequate nutritional intake through observation, feeding, or proper positioning and checking placement of feeding tubes.
Administer medications and perform stoma care, suctioning, enema, skin care, dressing changes, and care of prosthetic devices.
Monitor intake and output per established policy and procedure.
Promote veteran autonomy and independence through respect, limit setting, and individualized treatment.
Serve as team leader for a group of veterans and direct care staff, observing nursing care delivered and reporting concerns to the charge nurse.
Reinforce medication education and related health education for veterans on common disease processes and treatment regimes.
Manage dressing procedures and other patient care tasks.
Compensation and Benefits
Work Schedules:
Night shift (4:00 pm-midnight) with rotation – may include weekends and holidays.
Day shift (7:30 am-4:00 pm) with rotation – may include weekends and holidays.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases; higher step rate may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications.
Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off 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.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment—up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment—eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66 for full-time employees with a total family income below $144,000.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% employer contribution.
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 Statements: 91611-0, 91612-0, 91613-0, 91614-0. Permanent Change of Station: Not authorized.
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