Licensed Practical Nurse - VA Community Living Center

Summary

This Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) position is located at the Fargo VA Medical Center – VA Community Living Center (CLC) – a 38‑bed long‑term care unit where Veterans receive extended hospital care and short‑term rehabilitation, including help with activities of daily living, skilled nursing, hospice, and dementia care.

• 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.
• Must meet 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 of completion.
• L‑Nurse Licensure – Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a state, territory, or Commonwealth (e.g., Puerto Rico) of the United States or the District of Columbia.
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision 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 above – the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade:
  
  • The candidate’s qualifications must demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.
  
  • GS‑03 – None beyond the basic requirements.
  
  • GS‑04 – Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN, or one year of experience in a nursing care setting with practical knowledge of human body structure.
• GS‑05 – Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS‑4 level or equivalent, with demonstrated ability to provide full practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.
• GS‑06 – Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS‑5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS‑6 LPN/LVN.
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions related to prescribed medications and treatments.
• Ability to recognize and respond to a patient’s needs for care, including medication, equipment‑assisted care, and emergency procedures.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/.
• 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.

• Provide essential health care, perform routine examinations and assessments, and support social and recreational activities.
• Assist with activities of daily living, including medication, equipment‑assisted care, wound care, IV fluids, antibiotics, and end‑of‑life care.
• Monitor and report changes in patient condition to the Registered Nurse (RN) and/or provider.
• Establish constructive relationships with patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, promoting positive communication and socialization skills.
• Prepare, administer, and document prescribed medication and treatment regimens as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures.
• Assist in emergency situations and administer CPR as needed.
• Serve as a preceptor in collaboration with the RN and/or provider to appropriately orient and train less experienced LPN/LVN and Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs).
• Other duties as assigned.
• Work Schedule:
  
  Sunday–Saturday, rotating day/night shifts (7:30 a.m.–8 p.m., 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m., 7:30 p.m.–8 a.m., or 11:30 p.m.–8 a.m.).
• Rotating holidays and weekends required.
• Additional Pay:
  Shift differential – 10 % of base pay for work performed during regularly scheduled hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.; weekend premium – 25 % of base pay for work performed between midnight Friday and midnight Sunday.
• Holiday Pay – double the basic hourly rate for regular non‑overtime work on…