Licensed Practical Nurse-Specialty Clinic

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

37–50 days of annual paid time off

Paid parental leave

Childcare subsidy

Federal health, vision, and dental insurance

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks Licensed Practical/Licensed Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVN) to provide quality health care for veterans. This role requires applicants to be U.S. citizens and graduates from an accredited nursing program with an active license. Responsibilities include patient care, medication administration, and family education. The position offers a competitive salary, significant paid time off, and retirement benefits, without the availability of telework. Work is primarily 9-hour shifts, Monday to Friday.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Proficient in spoken and written English.
• Full, active, and unrestricted licensure as an LPN or LVN.

Responsibilities

• Perform nursing duties for varied patient populations.
• Administer medications and document patient responses.
• Educate patients and families about treatments and care.

Skills

English language proficiency

Patient care

Customer service

Education

Graduate of a practical or vocational nursing school

Job description

Summary
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, provides positive customer service, and maintains an environment committed to serving the veteran.

Qualifications

• Open continuous announcement until August 27, 2026. Initial cut‑off date for referrals is May 12, 2026 with subsequent cut‑offs on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after each cut‑off will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies arise until positions are filled. Applicants pending 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 be appointed only 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 (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed. Verification may be obtained from the state approving agency or NLNAC.
• Licensure: Full, active, current, and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a state, territory, Commonwealth, or District of Columbia.
• English language proficiency: Proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) – 7407(d).
• VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 in implementation of Public Law 98‑160 (November 21, 1983) and Public Law 99‑576 (October 28, 1986). The waiver does not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions.
• Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.
• See paragraph 4 – section C of VA Qualification Standard for licensure details.
• Eligible for Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (applicable only to current VHA employees).
• Grade determinations: Candidates must meet the requirements for each grade level applied for, as outlined below:
  • GS‑03: None beyond basic requirements.
  • GS‑04: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR graduation from an approved school with one year of experience; OR graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. LPNs at the GS‑4 level perform all duties expected of GS‑3 employees, with greater judgment, less supervision, and requirement to operate in accordance with all established policies and procedures.
  • GS‑05: Requires at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS‑4 level or equivalent. Additional criteria include:
    • Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with varied physical and/or behavioral problems.
    • Works with RN and/or MD/DO to orient and train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or nursing assistants and health technicians in acceptable standards of practice.
    • Provides effective education to patients and/or family members regarding common disease processes, medications, and prescribed treatment regimens.
    • Shows responsibility as a member of the nursing team and interacts with patients, family members, and support personnel in a professional and supportive manner, incorporating customer service standards.
    • Has sufficient knowledge and skill to prepare, administer, and document medication administration for commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and IV medications as permitted by local facility policies.
    • Documents patients’ responses to medication and reports any changes to RN or MD/DO.
    • Recognizes the need for and institutes emergency measures when indicated, promptly seeks assistance from RN or MD/DO, and assists in resuscitation procedures for cardiac or pulmonary arrest.
    • Responds appropriately to equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, reporting promptly for corrective action.
    • Work is performed under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO and demonstrates a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures.
  • GS‑06: Requires at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS‑5 level or equivalent and full compliance with performance requirements for the GS‑5 LPN.
    • Technically proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
    • Skillful in selecting appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments, accurately recognizing, reporting, and recording relevant patient information.
    • Under general review by an RN or MD/DO for appropriateness and conformity with established policies and procedures.
    • Observes and responds to patient needs for medication, equipment‑assisted care, and patient/family education.
    • Considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio‑economic, and age‑related factors in care delivery.
    • Prepares and administers prescribed medications and performs treatments according to established policies and procedures.
    • Documents physical and emotional changes in the patient’s condition, reports deviations to RN or MD/DO.
    • Recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance from RN and/or MD/DO, and initiates appropriate emergency interventions.
    • Understands human behavior and uses this knowledge to work effectively with patients, families, and staff.

Duties

• Technically proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
• Apply judgment in selecting appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments.
• Accurately recognize, report, and record relevant patient information.
• Work requires only a general review by an RN or physician for appropriateness and conformity with established policies and procedures.
• Observe, identify, and respond to patient needs for medication, equipment‑assisted care, and patient/family education.
• Consider emotional, socio‑economic, and age‑related factors in care delivery.
• Prepare and administer prescribed medications and perform treatments according to established policies and procedures.
• Observe for physical and emotional changes in patient’s condition, document changes, and report deviations to RN or MD/DO.
• Recognize urgent and emergent patient care situations, seek assistance, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
• Utilize knowledge of human behavior to work effectively with patients, families, and staff.
• Establish constructive relationships with patients and families to promote positive communication and respect for privacy and dignity.
• Incorporate customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and other customers.
• Perform support duties for complex diagnostic tests and specialized procedures, including patient preparation, instrument handling, and monitoring.
• Serve as a preceptor to orient, educate, and train less experienced LPNs, LVNs, NAs, and HTs in support duties for complex tests and procedures.
• Seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge with staff to improve practice.

Pay & Benefits

• Work schedule: Monday–Friday, compressed 9‑hour schedules available. Compressed/flexible scheduling authorized.
• 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 off per year (13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays).
• 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.
• Childcare 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, up to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
• Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 56814‑A, 56815‑A, 56816‑A, 56817‑A. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.