Practical Nurse

Summary

This job announcement will be used to fill vacancies on the inpatient Mental Health unit. The Mental Health LPN supports the care in the Residential Rehabilitation and Inpatient Mental Health settings. This position requires flexibility in schedule and assignment as the facility conducts 24/7 operation.

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.

• 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
• OR 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
• 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 11/21/1983 - or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99‑576 - enacted 10/28/1986
• OR 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 (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
• 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 both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) – and 7407(d)
• Grade Determinations:
  In addition to the basic requirements – the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
  • GS-03:
    None beyond the basic requirements
  • GS-04:
    At least 6 months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
    At this level LPN/LVNs are expected to exercise greater judgment – require less supervision – and to operate in accordance with all established policies – procedure – and techniques
  • OR graduate of an approved school AND 1 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 graduate from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
  • GS-05:
    At least 1 year of qualifying experience equivalent to the GS‑4 under the general supervision of a RN or MD/DO that has provided you with the following
    • Individuals at this grade 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
      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 knowledge and ability to serve as a responsible member of a nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients – family members – professional and/or other support personnel involved in the delivery of…