Licensed Practical Nurse

The LPN Ambulatory Care GS-7 is under the supervision of the Nurse Manager in Ambulatory Care (Specialty Clinic) In Nashville TN. yet demonstrates independent technical judgment without the need for readily available supervision. The LPN is technically proficient and self-directed in initiating performing and completing complex practical nursing care to patients within Surgical Specialty Clinics.

The LPN GS-7 must demonstrate an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing care assignments within the Medical Specialty Clinics for a Veteran population with a variety of health care needs. The LPN GS-7 exhibits independent technical judgment critical thinking skills and the use of independent judgment to carry out complex practices and procedures. Employees at the GS-7 grade level demonstrate broader and skill with respect to these responsibilities.

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: Rewards of a Allied Health Professional


Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (Based on the needs of the service)
Pay Schedule: VA25
Functional Statement Number: 71156-F
Telework: Not Eligible
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not 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 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 $144000 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)

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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:

• 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) 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 granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN.
• 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.

• GS-07: The GS-07 grade level is for select complex LPN/LVN positions as established by each health care facility. To be advanced employees must meet all of the following standards provided the standard is part of their assignment. Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-06 level or equivalent fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-06 LPN/LVN. The following Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs) must be met:
• Knowledge and skills necessary to care out more specialized patient care duties including assignments in more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings.
• Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery making astute observations of subtle less obvious changes (both physical and emotional) in patients conditions and taking the appropriate action.
• Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/OD in addressing patients needs for medication/treatments accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments and appropriately recording patients response to medications/treatments received.
• Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations.
• Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting health lifestyles for more positive outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control resistant or abusive behaviors or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions.
• Skill creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels.
• Comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care.
• Ability to support the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery.
• Medical and surgical specialty Clinic experience preferred; clinic based procedure experience preferred; specimen collection/handling/labeling experience preferred
• Basic Life Support (BLS)