Licensed Practical Nurse (Geriatrics and Extended Care)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Coatesville (Chester County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment incentive

EDRP program

Paid time off

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse/Vocational Nurse to provide direct patient care in a VA facility. The position requires graduation from an approved nursing program and active LPN/LVN licensure.

The role involves medication administration, patient care under supervision, and collaboration with RNs and physicians. Recruitment incentives and extensive federal benefits are available, including eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

Qualifications

• Licensed practical or vocational nurse education and licensure required.
• English language proficiency for direct patient care positions (spoken and written).
• Carefully meet grade level qualifications and competencies as per GS criteria if applicable.

Responsibilities

• Perform nursing care within the scope of license under supervision of RN/MD.
• Provide medication administration according to policies and procedures.
• Assist in training and supervising less experienced staff and nursing assistants.

Education

LPN/LVN education

Job description

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.

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.
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the NLNAC.
• 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 below:
  • Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN.
  • Graduation from an approved school 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.
  • Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
• GS‑5: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS‑4 level or equivalent. Applicants at this level must also be able to demonstrate the following KSA’s:
• 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.
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment – safety hazards – and supply deficiencies – promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
• Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO.
• Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures.
• 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.
• Applicants at this level must also be able to demonstrate the following KSA’s:
• Technically proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
• ... (additional KSA details continue as listed in the original description)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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).
• 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 to: Demonstrates proficiency in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties while providing care to diverse patient populations.
• Comprehensive understanding of disease conditions, nursing principles, standards, and practices to coordinate the nursing care required on the unit and alter the sequence and/or care delivered to meet individual patient needs and provide oversight 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 judgment in selecting appropriate orders, procedures, and treatments and recognizing, reporting, and recording relevant patient information including 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 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 assist others to do so.
• Demonstrates flexibility by willingly and promptly accepting changes in work assignment and locations including charge duties.
• Schedule: Multiple tours including evening and/or days, weekends with rotation (0000‑0800, 0730‑1600, 1530‑2400). Additional tours may be discussed during the interview process.
• Recruitment incentive: 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: EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 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).
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment – up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with 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 % 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.
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred as additional vacancies occur on an as‑needed basis until positions are filled.