Licensed Practical Nurse

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval – award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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
• Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission – 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006
• Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website
• Exceptions include:
  • (1) 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.
  • (2) 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.
  • (3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• See paragraph 4 – section C
• 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.
  • 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).
• The Grandfathering Provision is not applicable to this series (0620).
• Grade Determinations: GS‑07 – The GS‑07 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions as established by each health care facility.
• To be advanced – employees must meet all of the following standards provided the standard is part of their assignment:
  • (a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS‑6 level or equivalent – fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS‑6 LPN/LVN.
  • (b) Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties – including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings.
  • (c) Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery.
  • (d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient’s needs for medication/treatments – accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient’s response to medications/treatments received.
  • (e) Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations – seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for…