The Licensed Practical Nurse serves as a member of the multidisciplinary health care team with selected patients and provides care to them on a regular and recurring basis. The LPN completes assigned duties and responsibilities, which involve performing standard and specialized practical nursing activities and which require broad work experience. 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 Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), previously known as 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 Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), previously known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the ACEN Website. 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. 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. VA Health Professional Trainees (HPT) pending the completion of educational may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English. 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: In addition to the basic requirements, 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. Qualifying experience is successful nursing practice as an LPN/LVN maintaining acceptable standards within a health care setting under the direction of a registered nurse or physician. GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4: At least 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: At least one (1) year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs to qualify for the GS-5 level: Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Working with 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. Providing 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 includes 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; Recognizing and appropriately responding to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies and promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. The GS-6 grade requirements can be found under the Education section of this announcement. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. transferring patients and objects may be required. This position requires the ability to lift 50 pounds. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Work requires the ability to physically intervene with disruptive patient/Veteran and protect self and others from injury using the knowledge gained from training. The LPN must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. ["The duties of the LPN include, but are not limited to: Make observations of subtle changes in the patient's/resident's condition (i.e. behavior shifts, mood changes, skin coloring, appetite, etc.). Document care given, observations, and responses to care on the appropriate tools or forms. Recognize the patient's/resident's autonomy and promote independence by means of respect, limit setting, and individualized treatment. Prepare and administer prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, within, intramuscular, and or intravenous) and perform treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observe 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 appropriate team member. Monitor intake and output, according to established policy and procedures. Work Schedule: Various tours available\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 512-118-059, 512-118-058, 512-118-057, 512-118-056\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]