Licensed Practical Nurse-Medical Outpatient Clinic (MOPC)

• 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• 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 Accrediting Commission 61 Broadway 33rd Floor New York NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website.
• c. Licensure. Full active current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. Puerto Rico) of the United States or District of Columbia. An LPN/LVN who has or has ever had any license(s) 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.

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).
Grade Determinations: GS-7. The GS-7 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. NOTE: Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit. Although these positions are under the supervision of an RN and/or MD/DO employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision) as well as a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of patients.
(a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN.
6(b) Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties including assignments in selected more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patients overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans.
(c) Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle less obvious changes both physical and emotional in patients condition and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patients response to care that could require immediate modification of the patients care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patients condition requiring higher-level intervention. At this grade level the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing and as appropriate modifying patient care treatment. They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations.
(d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patients needs for medication/treatments accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patients response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patients condition and initiate appropriate prescribed interventions. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels. (e) Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene as directed to assure the continuation of optimal safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. At this grade level the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate.
(f) Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient 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. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision.
(g) Exhibits skill creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces research projects or in developing educational materials/media.
7 Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice.
(h) Possesses 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. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas.
(i) Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or nonmedical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/ addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff.
(j) Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are to a considerable extent expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles art and science of practical nursing. The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision.
(k) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice.