Licensed Practical Nurse

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

A Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4
Total Rewards of a VA Career: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

• Provides direct, high-quality nursing care within LPN/LVN scope for diverse veteran populations.
• Demonstrates technical proficiency in assigned duties, including patient monitoring, documentation, and use of required computer systems.
• Accurately observes, records, and reports changes in condition; recognizes and responds to deviations.
• Utilizes aseptic technique, universal precautions, and infection control standards.
• Assists with diagnostic procedures and specialized treatments; prepares and maintains instruments and equipment.
• Provides support with activities of daily living (bathing, feeding, hygiene, mobility).
• Records vital signs, intake/output, pain scores, and neurological checks.
• Collects and processes lab specimens; monitors patients receiving blood products or with chest tubes.
• Promotes safety and therapeutic environment for all patients, including those with behavioral challenges.
• Demonstrates teamwork, professionalism, and positive interactions with patients, families, and colleagues.
• Completes clinical reminders, encounters, and documentation in a timely manner.
• Adheres to infection control and safe patient handling policies; practices safe body mechanics.
• Reports and documents significant patient information, contributing to plan of care updates.
• Performs treatments and reusable medical equipment reprocessing per policy.
• Maintains a safe, therapeutic environment and applies knowledge of emergency procedures.
• Recognizes urgent or emergent situations; seeks RN/MD/DO guidance and initiates interventions.
• Provides appropriate care for patients at high risk (falls, restraints, EOD, suicidal ideation).
• Ensures compliance with safety rules, body mechanics, and mechanical aids to prevent injury.
• Adheres to Safe Patient Handling, service line, and nursing program policies.
• Demonstrates self-directed safety practices and continuous vigilance.
• Administers medications safely, following the six rights of administration.
• Prepares and administers oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, IV, and rectal medications.
• Performs venipuncture, line care, dressing changes, and tubing maintenance per competency.
• Monitors for adverse reactions and reports deviations promptly.
• Assists with PCA pumps and blood product monitoring.
• Educates patients on prescribed medications and compliance.
• Aligns practice with VA mission, vision, and goals.
• Engages in self-assessment and communicates development needs to the Nurse Manager.
• Pursues education to enhance clinical knowledge; shares learning with peers.
• Completes all TMS, competencies, and mandatory training on schedule.
• Participates in in-services, huddles, and performance improvement activities.
• Supports infection control and contributes to staff education efforts.
• Assists in orienting and mentoring new LPN/LVNs or support staff.
• Promotes VA values through courteous, respectful, and professional conduct.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings and contributes to care planning.
• Builds constructive relationships with veterans, families, and staff to support positive outcomes.
• Encourages patient participation, independence, and engagement in care.
• Incorporates patient rights and customer service standards into all interactions.
• Actively supports process improvement and committee participation.
• Provides and develops educational materials for veterans, families, and caregivers.
• Perform other duties as assigned depending on grade level.

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
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). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
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)
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact David Billingsley david.billingsleyjr@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: GS-3 61188-0, GS-4 61189-0, GS-5 61190-0, GS-6 61191-0

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) and 7407(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
  • Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986. OR
  • Individual granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.
• 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.
• Grandfathering Provision. 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 - Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below:

• 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 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. For 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.

GS-05

• Completion of at least one (1) year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the required grade level KSA's as outlined in the Assessment.

GS-06

• Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the required grade level KSA's as outlined in the Assessment.

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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06.

Physical Requirements: This position requires significant physical activity, including standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. Duties involve restraining, repositioning, and transferring patients, using mechanical devices for heavy or difficult lifts, and transporting patients to other areas. The work may require lifting over 50 pounds and climbing stairs. Exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials is possible, necessitating protective clothing in certain situations. Essential skills include visual acuity, good hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, and the ability to work with arms above shoulder level and control physical situations.

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/.

• 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.