Practical Nurse (Orthopedics Specialty Clinic)

The services that are provided may include (but are not limited to):

1. 1. • Demonstrates the exercise of independent technical judgment as well as a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures.
      • Demonstrates ability to assist RN and/or Provider to appropriately prioritize overall Veteran care needs and adjust plans for care delivery.
      • Seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN and/or Provider of more subtle physical and emotional changes in Veterans condition requiring higher-level intervention and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations.
      • Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions promptly informs the RN and/or Provider of observed changes in Veterans condition and initiates appropriate prescribed interventions.
      • Makes astute observations of subtle less obvious changes both physical and emotional in Veterans condition and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and Veterans response to care that could require immediate modification of the Veterans care plan.
      • Assists individuals or groups of Veterans families and/or caregivers to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive Veteran outcomes.
      • Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with Veterans families and/or caregivers who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control resistant or abusive behaviors or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions.
      • Demonstrates the ability to proactively assist the RN and/or Provider in addressing Veterans needs for medication/treatments accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and Veterans response to medications/treatments received. This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.
      • Promotes the incorporation of current Veteran care data in actively contributing to the development and modification of the Veterans overall health/treatment plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions.
      • Seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and provides leadership in assisting other staff to improve and advance their nursing practice.
      • 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.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday day shift 0800-1630
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• 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 identification 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.

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.
• 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.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidates 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); however completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved.

GS-04

• Experiences: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or
• Education: Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care healthcare or in a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position such as education in a program for psychology psychiatric or operating room technicians. Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
• Experiences: 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; or Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
• Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs).
  • Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
  • Ability to observe patients/residents or residents physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
  • Ability to properly use equipment materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan continuous passive motion device blood glucose monitoring machine specimen collection etc.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents their families and other health professionals.

GS-05

• Experience. One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge skills and abilities that are directly related to the specific addition the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below; OR
• Education. Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelors degree that included 24 semester hours of courses related to health care or possession of a bachelors degree;

Demonstrated KSAs (GS 5 & GS 6):

• 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 patents 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 should need only a general review by a registered nurse or physician for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures.
• Ability to observe identify and respond to the patients needs for care including medication equipment-assisted care and (patient/family education). In organizing and delivering care the LPN/LVN recognized and 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 medication/treatments promptly and accurately documenting noted changes and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO.
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent and emergent patient care situation 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.
• Established 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 inter/external customers.
• Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures which include preparing the patients assisting in the diagnostic examination preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialize 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.
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice.

GS 6

• Experiences: One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-5 level. LPN functions as a member of the health care team by demonstrating an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills. LPNs successfully and consistently demonstrate independent technical judgment as well as comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of complex practices and procedures.
• Education: Same for GS 5

Preferred Experience:
Selective Placement Factor
Quality Ranking Factor

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is 6.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 6.