Licensed Practical Nurse - Lab

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Richmond (IN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs in Richmond, Indiana, seeks a Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse to uphold quality health care, positive customer service, and a veteran-centered environment in Primary Care Service.

Applicants must meet basic requirements: citizenship, English proficiency, and licensure in an approved nursing program. Grade levels range GS-3 to GS-6 with potential to reach GS-06 based on experience and qualifications.

Qualifications

• Candidate must be a graduate of an approved practical or vocational nursing program.
• Active, full, current LPN/LVN license in the United States or District of Columbia.
• English language proficiency for direct patient care.
• Completion of the GS education/experience criteria as outlined for assignment level.

Education

Practical nurse diploma

Job description

This position is for the Lab located in Richmond, Indiana within Primary Care Service. The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical/License Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran.

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. 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.
• 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 of at least 24 months duration (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
  • Education/Training - Successful completion of a program in practical nursing of a least 9 months' duration combined with 1 year of nursing assistant experience; or successful completion of a 2-year degree program in an accredited community college, junior college, or college or university in practical nursing. 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.

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).

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.