Licensed Vocational Nurse Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Graduate of an approved practical or vocational nursing school, or meet an applicable education exception described in the announcement.
• Active, full, current, unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, unless eligible under the stated grandfathering provision.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Meet grade-specific qualification criteria: GS-03 requires no experience beyond the basic requirements; GS-04 requires six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience, or an eligible combination of approved education and nursing-care experience, or graduation from an approved program of at least 24 months; GS-05 requires at least one year of qualifying experience at GS-04 or equivalent; GS-06 requires at least one additional year of qualifying experience at GS-05 or equivalent and fulfillment of GS-05 performance requirements.
• Demonstrate practical nursing knowledge and skills appropriate to the selected grade, including patient care, medication administration and documentation, monitoring and reporting patient changes, patient/family education, emergency response, and support for diagnostic procedures where required by grade.
• Complete required application and onboarding documentation, background/security investigation, and pre-employment medical evaluation; applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-employment urinalysis.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period and receive written certification for continued employment after the trial period.
• Submit a transcript with the application if relying on education to meet qualification requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Evidence of Lean Belt training or experience.
• Charge Nurse or preceptor experience.
• Professional Governance participation.
• Other role-related technical skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical nursing care to Veterans with physical and/or behavioral health needs within licensure and facility policies; escalate changes in condition to an RN or provider.
• Educate patients and families about common disease processes, medications, and prescribed treatment regimens.
• Administer prescribed medications and perform treatments; accurately document care and patient responses and promptly report deviations from expected outcomes.
• Recognize urgent or emergency situations, seek RN or provider assistance, and initiate appropriate emergency measures, including assisting with resuscitation during cardiac or pulmonary arrest.
• Support diagnostic tests and specialized procedures by preparing patients, assisting during examinations, handling specialized instruments or equipment, and monitoring patients before, during, and after procedures.
• Build constructive relationships and communicate courteously and professionally with patients, families, and internal and external customers.
• Safeguard patient privacy and dignity in care delivery and documentation.
• Identify and report equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, and take appropriate action to maintain a safe care environment.
• Incorporate age, development, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors into care planning and delivery for adults aged 18 and older.
• Maintain computer security and protect sensitive patient information in accordance with applicable laws, VA policy, and VHA guidelines.
• At applicable grade levels, help orient, educate, and train less experienced LPNs/LVNs or nursing assistants/health technicians, and share new nursing knowledge with staff.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Child-care subsidy potentially available after 60 days for eligible full-time employees, subject to income and other eligibility limits; subsidy may cover up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, up to the stated monthly maximum.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term-care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Selected applicants may qualify to request credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.