Licensed Practical Nurse

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Sheridan (WY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Licensed Practical Nurse to initiate, perform, and complete a broad range of nursing care for acutely and chronically ill patients in medical and psychiatric settings.

The role involves direct patient care under supervision of a physician or RN, collaboration with the nursing team, and adherence to policy, safety, and documentation requirements across multiple care environments.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the state
• Licensed practical nurse with active, unrestricted licensure required
• BLS certification is required or preferred as described by VA standards

Responsibilities

• Accurately collects, reports, and records patient care data
• Works as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Administers prescribed medications and monitors patient responses
• Performs basic practical nursing procedures for stable patients
• Maintains patient safety, privacy, and dignity in all care interactions

Skills

Nursing care

Medication administration

Vital signs

Documentation

Patient education

Emergency response

Team collaboration

Education

LPN/LVN licensure (active, unrestricted)

Tools

None

Job description

Summary

This Licensed Practical Nurse proficient in initiating - performing - and completing a broad range of practical nursing care assignments to acutely and chronically ill patients with medical and psychiatric illnesses that usually change within a predictable range. Provides direct patient/resident care in a variety of settings - including acute medical and mental health units - community living center - residential rehabilitation and ambulatory care under the direction of a licensed physician or RN.

Qualifications

***This is an open continuous announcement until September 30 - 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. *** The initial cutoff date to review applicants will be on May 05 - 2026. 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: Citizen of the United States
• (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) 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
• Exceptions include: 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
• An LPN[/LVN] who has or has ever had - any license(s) revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3 - section B - paragraph 16 of this part
• 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:
• 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 paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) 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
• GS-5: Completion of at least 1 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
• Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery
• Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and /or prescribed treatment regimes
• 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
• GS-6 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
• Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions
• to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments
• and to accurately recognize - report and record relevant] patient information
• Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures
• Ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs for care - including medication - equipment-assisted care and patient/family education
• In organizing and delivering care - the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional - socio-economic - and age-related factors
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments - promptly and accurately documenting noted changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations - seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO - and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations - and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients - family members - and other staff
• Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships - communication and socialization skills
• Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery
• Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and - or other internal/external customers
• Knowledge and 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 and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment - and monitoring the patient's condition before - during - and following the procedure
• Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures
• Preferred Experience: 3 years direct patient care experience preferred 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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments as it is a 24/7/365 facility
• This position requires potentially long periods of walking - standing or sitting and may have exposure to infectious materials and patients
• This position may have exposure to patients who are combative - delirious - have psychiatric disorders or dementia
• Basic Life Support (BLS) is required
• This position requires Level 3 PMDB completion.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Clinical Responsibilities may include but are not limited to: Accurately collects - reports - and records appropriate patient care data to contribute to the nursing assessment
• Serves as a member of the interdisciplinary team
• understands patients' biopsychosocial needs for the purpose of providing care and input to treatment plans
• Identifies and reports signs and symptoms of deviation from normal health status and changes in patient condition
• Is able to identify potential suicide risks in patients and reports to RN or provider
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications in accordance with established policy and procedure and observes - reports - and documents patients' response to medications
• Establishes effective and therapeutic relations with and proves nursing care to acute and chronically ill patients with both medical and mental health conditions
• Recognizes expected outcomes of interventions and reports - records - and exchanges information with members of the treatment team
• Reinforces and reiterates instructions previously presented by a Registered Nurse or physicians
• Promotes environmental safety - security - and patient confidentiality
• Recognizes and reports unsafe equipment or situations and follows policy and procedure to assure personal and patient safety during patient care activities
• Maintains therapeutic interpersonal relationships with patients and co-workers
• Demonstrates flexibility and willingness to participate in and adapt to an everchanging health care environment
• Performs basic practical nursing procedures - practices - and techniques for the purpose of providing nursing care to stable patients with both medical and mental health conditions
• Recognizes and reports emergency situations
• Understands patient's biopsychosocial needs for the purpose of providing care and input to treatment plans
• Performs Foley catheter insertions and IV management
• With valid state certification - LPN will perform IV insertions utilizing aseptic techniques
• Administrative Responsibilities may include but are not limited to: Enters specific information into the patient's electronic record using appropriate formats - medical terminology - and templates
• This information must be entered in a complete - confidential - and professional manner to insure information on the patient is shared with other VA staff
• This information is to be reviewed on a regular basis
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with employees - volunteers - consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies
• Attendance of all appropriate staff meetings (interdisciplinary treatment team meetings - other committees as appropriate - etc.) is necessary
• Identifies process and quality improvement opportunities and contributes to changes in processes through data collection
• Additional duties may be required to be performed - as needed
• Work Schedule: Shiftwork Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 51602-A - 51603-A - 51604-A - 51605-A
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized