Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse

Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) functions as a member of the nursing and treatment teams. The LPN provides basic age‑specific nursing care for adult and geriatric inpatients in Community Living Center – with physical – mental – behavioral – or psychosocial needs – according to assignment and training. Performance of duties requires specialized knowledge and skills to care for acutely ill medical – psychiatric – and/or geriatric patients in Community Living Center – inpatient and outpatient areas.

• United States Citizenship:
  Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education:
  
  Must have graduated from a school of practical 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 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
• 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
• 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
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS-3 – Licensed Practical Nurse:
  None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 – Licensed Practical Nurse: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN
• OR (b) 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 (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration
• GS-5 – Licensed Practical Nurse:
  
  Experience:
  
  Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• Demonstrated Knowledge –
  
  Skills and Abilities
  
  (KSAs)
• In addition to the required experience – the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
  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 –…