Licensed Practical Nurse (Geriatrics and Extended Care)

Summary

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.

Duties

*** Recruitment or Relocation incentive may be authorized for eligible, highly qualified candidates! *** The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Vocational Nurse functions under the supervision of an RN and/or MD. LPNs or Vocational Nurses 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. Functions and activities are broad and varied to provide for development of depth of knowledge and skills under close supervision. Duties may include but are not limited too: Demonstrates proficiency in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties while providing care to diverse patient populations. Comprehensive understanding of disease conditions, nursing principals, standards, and practices to be able to coordinate the nursing care required on the unit, and to alter the sequence and/or care delivered to meet individual patient's needs and provide oversite to less experienced LPNs, Nursing Assistants and Health Technicians. Maintains knowledge and ability to carry out patient care determined by the patient's condition utilizing judgement in selecting appropriate orders, procedures, and treatments; and recognizing, reporting, and recording relevant patient information to include urgent and emergent situations. Observes, identifies, and responds to patient needs for medication, medical equipment, and patient/family education while considering emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic and age related factors. Maintains knowledge and skill 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. Establishes constructive and positive relationships with patients/families in order to promote open communication and socialization skills, taking into consideration human behavior, patient motivators and reactions to situations. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs, Nursing Assistants (NA's), Health Technicians (HT's) and provides support for more complex, specialized procedures. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge/skills and shares knowledge with peers to advance nursing practice. Performs unit charge duties with assistance from the area/supervising RN or Nurse Officer of the Day (NOD) Knowledge of standard precautions, medical asepsis, and sterile technique with ability to correctly apply these principles and techniques to a variety of patient care situations and to assist others to do so. Demonstrates flexibility by willing and promptly accepting changes in work assignment and locations including charge duties. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Multiple tours including evening and/or days, weekends with rotation. (0000-0800, 0730-1600, 1530-2400). Additional tours may be discussed more during the interview process. Note: The first 6-8 weeks will require the selection to work 7:30am-4pm before moving to selected tour of duty Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): A recruitment/relocation incentive of $5,000 may be authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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)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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until October 05, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 15 days after opening of announcement. The initial cut-off for referral of eligible applications will be July 22, 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

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: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (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 Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. Licensure: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia. English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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-3: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in 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. LPNs at 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-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Applicants at this lev