Practical Nurse ( Intermittent)

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The Licensed Practical Nurse performs direct patient care and participates in activities that support safety on the unit and enable the program to meet its general requirements. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Complete assigned duties/responsibilities which involve performing standard practical nursing activities.
• Demonstrate knowledge/skills to resolve a range of nursing problems.
• Recognize human behavior motivations and reactions to situations in the provision of nursing care provide a safe environment and protect patients rights and recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations.
• Be aware of program policies procedures and directives that are in place for all VA employees as well as those that are unique to the specific program (s) and practice in a manner consistent with these policies.
• Review reports of a patients condition and other pertinent data using judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines.
• Determine when changes in the patients conditions are significant enough to notify the immediate supervisor for assistance in decision making and/or determining nursing care.
• Make recommendations for changes in the treatment plan based upon observations analysis of patients condition and response to the current plans.
• Provides assistance with physical care of patients by observing identifying and responding to specific patient needs.
• Prepares patients for off/on unit diagnostic procedures and administers more complex treatments under the close supervision of RN/LPN/MD or other licensed staff.
• Serves as an active member of the interdisciplinary team and contributes to the development of nursing care plans.
• Contribute to the development and update of the overall treatment plan providing important information through assessment and observation of the patient.
• Observes reports and documents the patients conditions and changes noted.
• Conducts an assessment of medication independence prior to admission to and at the time of admission and collects information on other health-related behaviors as part of the admission process and throughout the admission and helps to prepare the patient for discharge.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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.
• English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).
• 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.
• Education. Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved/accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant.

• Experience. At least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent
  • AND
• In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
  1. Technically proficient in initiating performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
  2. Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and to accurately recognize report and record relevant patient information.
  3. Ability to observe identify and respond to the patients needs for care including medication equipment-assisted care and patient/family education.
  4. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral topical subcutaneous intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patients condition from prescribed medications/treatments promptly and accurately documenting noted changes and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO.
  5. Knowledge and understanding of human behavior patient motivations and reactions to situations and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients family members and other staff.
  6. Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes and to promote positive relationships communication and socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients family members and/or other internal/external customers.
  7. Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures which include preparing the patient assisting in the diagnostic examination preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment and monitoring the patients condition before during and following the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting educating and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex specialized tests/procedures.
  8. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice.

• Podiatry/Nail Clipping experience