Licensed Practical Nurse - Community Living Center

Summary

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families - caregivers - and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 03/30/2026.

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) and 7407(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 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: Full - active - 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 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-3 None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• or 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
• or Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• 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 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-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 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 the 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 - 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 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
• Preferred Experience: Background in psychology or caring for patients with dementia and/or behaviors
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.
  
  

Duties

• The Community Living Center Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides essential basic medical and nursing care to long term care residents
• The LPN is responsible for tasks like administering medications - monitoring health - and assisting with daily activities
• LPN's work under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) and play a vital role in maintaining resident's well being
• Functions of practice: Provides care of patients/residents and their environment contributing to optimizing patient/resident outcomes as a member of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team
• The LPN practices within the scope and licensure of a LPN in the nursing unit - clinic - area of assignment and demonstrates consistent practice when temporarily assigned to related nursing units and clinics
• Provides care and services to multiple populations served and admitted to the nursing unit/clinic - area of assignment as determined by the patient/resident need for nursing care and services - Provides reporting - communication - and documentation in the computerized patient record system with other members of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team
• Maintains licensure - BCLS - and currency in required education and training as identified by regulating agencies - the CMCVAMC - VISN and National Agency
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills required for LPN licensure in the performance of assigned duties consistently
• Demonstrates competency and consistency in the technical use of equipment - application of technical standards and performance of administrative support duties
• Demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with standard operating procedures for the maintenance of reusable medical equipment
• Participates in Medical Center activities and demonstrates skills and behaviors that provide and promote positive internal and external customer relationships
• Attends unit level and Medical Center meetings and develops as an employee to support committee participation
• Maintains patient/resident safety standards assuring patient /resident privacy - patient/resident physical safety - and patient/resident psychological safety
• Establishes working relationships with multi-disciplinary and multi-level members of the work team promoting the physical - psychological - and emotional safety of the working environment for all team members
• Administers medications within the scope of their license consistent with MCM I I-03 Administration of Medications
• Provides assistance and support to the Registered Nurse and/or provider within the scope of the LPN license and consistent with Medical Center policy
• Participates in established patient education programs and seeks certification in programs as appropriate
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills to provide care and services consistent with Infection Control Standards of Practice providing optimal outcomes for patients - residents - visitors - and employees
• Recognizes - responds - and initiates appropriate level response to medical emergency such as cardiac and/or respiratory failure
• Ensure residents receive prescribed medications and treatments at the correct times and dosages according to physician's orders
• Check vital signs - monitoring for changes in physical and mental health - and reporting concerns to RN or appropriate healthcare team
• Assisting or providing residents with personal hygiene - mobility - and other activities of daily living - providing comfort and support
• Work with other healthcare professionals to develop and implement care plans for residents
• Provide basic education to residents and their families about their health conditions and care plans - medication instructions - and other health related information
• Provide basic wound care through cleaning and dressing wounds - and monitoring for signs of infection
• Maintain accurate records of care - observations - and interventions
• Assist with procedures like catheterization - administering injections - and other tasks
• Work Schedule: 3 shifts available - with rotating every other weekend and holidays
• This will be discussed at interview: 7:30am - 4:00pm 3:30pm - 12:00am 11:30pm - 8:00am Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized
• Telework: Not authorized
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Physical Standards: Heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds)
• heavy carrying (up to 50 pounds)
• straight pulling (2-4 hours)
• pushing (2-4 hours)
• reaching above shoulders (1-2 hours)
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking (4-6 hours)
• standing (4-6 hours)
• repeated bending (2-4 hours)
• both legs required
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• near vision correctable at 13\" to 16\" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other
• both eyes required
• ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of color
• hearing aid (permitted)
• mental and emotional stability.