Community Living Center- LPN

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 25 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be January 13 2026 with weekly cut-off dates on Tuesdays going forward. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

Major Duties:

• Administers oral subcutaneous and intramuscular medications.
• Administers immunizations independently upon completion of Immunization Competency Module. Observes reports and documents
• Implements established care plans. Reports and documents progress or changes in patients behavior and/or physical condition
  to the RN and in the medical record patients response to medication including adverse reactions and possible medication errors.
• Following competency verification monitors intravenous therapy for prescribed rate patency infiltration and/or extravasation. Discontinues intravenous infusion when directed by the RN or the physician. Documents and reports findings.
• Performs such diagnostic procedures as TPR B/P pain screen pulse oximetry bladder scanning l&O heights weights finger sticks and EKGs. Recognizes deviations from normal. Documents and reports results to the registered nurse and/or physician.
• Performs narcotic count as per policy/procedure and immediately notifies the Charge RN of discrepancies.
• Makes frequent rounds on patients noting environment changes in patients behavior and/or physical condition. Reports and documents all observed problems and indicates which might have an adverse effect on patients visitors or personnel.
• Observes documents and reports unpredictable behavior that may lead to violence potential for injury related to wandering or fall risk.
• Uses diversional activities to promote restraint-free environment.
• Performs support duties for therapeutic and diagnostic procedures such as:
  • Reinforces patient teaching and documents patient health education appropriately.
  • Assuring presence of signed informed consent.
  • Assisting with physical examinations.
  • Monitoring patients condition and providing follow up care.
  • Caring for maintaining and ordering supplies and equipment including reporting equipment malfunctions.
• Provides for a safe clean and therapeutic environment including work area. Follows all safety policies and procedures including using good body mechanics and wearing personal protective equipment as needed.
• Reinforces patients performance of exercises and other concepts recommended by the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitative Service program. Procedures and exercises include but are not limited to:
• Applying assistive devices to upper and lower extremities range of motion to upper and lower extremities manual stretching of joints to prevent contractures ambulation.
• Promoting body alignment with body positioning.
• Applying protective/supporting devices or restraints under the direction of the RN or medical provider without any personal limitations or physical restrictions.
• Administering nasogastric tube feedings.
• Performing enterostomal care perinea! care administering enemas and colostomy irrigations.
• Providing bowel/bladder training applying external urinary devices performing bladder catheterization.

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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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

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.
• 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. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing 61 Broadway 33rd Floor New York NY 10006. 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.
• VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 enacted November 21 1983 and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 enacted October 28 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will 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.
• Licensure. Full active current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State Territory or Commonwealth of the United States. An LPN who has or has ever had any license revoked suspended denied restricted limited or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3 section B paragraph 16 of this part.
• Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).

• GS-3. None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license.
• GS-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below:
  • Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN.
  • 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.
  • LPNs at 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-5
  • 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 with patients family members professional and 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 patients response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patients 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.
  • 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-6
  • 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; and to accurately recognize report and record relevant patient information. Completed work only a general review by a registered nurse or physician appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures.
  • Ability to observe identify and respond to the patients needs for care medication equipment-assisted care and patient/family organizing/ delivering care the LPN recognizes/ considers emotional cultural spiritual 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 patients 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 patients 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.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit 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).
  
  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.
  
  Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges universities schools or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information visit:

Additional information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.