Practical Nurse

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Auburn (WA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

37-50 days of annual paid leave

Retirement benefits

Child care subsidies

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Auburn, WA, is looking for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to join its General Medicine Service Line. In this role, you will provide continuous care to Veterans, administer medications, and educate patients on health management. The position requires an active LPN licensure and offers substantial benefits like competitive salary and ample paid time off.

This is a great opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of Veterans while working in a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• Current and unrestricted LPN licensure in the United States.
• Strong understanding of practical nursing procedures.
• Ability to educate patients and their families.

Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing care to assigned panel of Veterans.
• Administer medications and document patient reactions.
• Engage patients in health care decision-making.

Skills

Medication administration

Patient care

Education and patient coaching

Communication

Emergency response

Education

Graduation from an accredited practical or vocational nursing program

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.
• United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States 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)
• GS-04 - Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN or Graduation from an approved school
• OR Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-05 - 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
• 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
• However - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review
• 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
• 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
• 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 a 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
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• 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.

Duties

• This is an open-continuous announcement
• It establishes a standing register of eligible applicants which closes on 9/30/2026 or until all positions have been filled
• Positions will be filled as they become available
• There will be multiple cut-off dates used to consider applications for referral to the selecting official
• The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) assigned to the VAPSHCS General Medicine Service Line (GMS) functions as the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Clinical Associate team member under the guidance of the Registered Nurse - but must be able to function independently and autonomously - according to established policies - procedures and practices
• The PACT LPN is responsible for: 1) ongoing - continuous care of assigned panel(s) of Veterans
• 2) using all available tools - such as registries - to enable effective and efficient identification and intervention of individual Veterans and cohorts
• 3) functioning at the full extent of the LPN's relevant clinical privileges - credentials - scopes of practice - elements of practice - certification - and other VHA or local facility documentation of competency
• 4) LPN GS-6 Functional Statement: General Medicine Service Line : Patient Aligned Care Team LPN REVIEWED August 2025 LPN GS-6 2 participating in team performance improvements and sustainment activities to optimize team efficiency care delivery with Veterans
• 5) implementing primary care operations management processes - as appropriate
• 6) managing communications and facilitating safe transitions of Veterans between the PACT's site of care and other health care settings - using informal and formal communication methods - as appropriate
• 7) providing health education and health coaching on wellness - disease prevention - chronic disease management - and self-management skills with Veterans - Family and Caregivers - 8) engaging Veterans in using health care - encouraging Veterans to engage family and caregivers - receiving input from Veterans and caregivers regarding VA care
• 9) using formal and informal communications that are respectful - effective - timely - and bidirectional with all team members - including the Veteran and Family/Caregivers - to convey significant - clinically relevant information for the care of the Veteran
• 10) managing clinic workflow
• ensuring Veterans are placed in examination rooms in a timely manner - and providing direction with Veterans as they move through the clinic environment
• The LPN is accountable for measurable - high-quality - timely and cost-effective results related to the PACT and other assigned Primary Care activities
• S/he may be required to perform specimen collection of (urine - sputum - blood - or stool) ensuring to utilize proper labeling - packaging - and transport instructions from the Primary Care Community Based Clinics or assigned areas to the main facility laboratory
• The LPN will adhere to applicable infection control guidelines of hand hygiene before and after venipuncture of all patients
• Other duties may be assigned
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8-hour shifts
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more 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) 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 #: PD000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized