Career Center

As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the Nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work. 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. 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 web site. Exceptions include: o 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.to 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.to 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. English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English. Preferred Experience: Acute care and ambulatory care experience. 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. None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g., medication administration); however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved. GS-4. (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. (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. (b) 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. (c) Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner] with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel [involved in the delivery of] patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice. (d) Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures. Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO. (e) Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO, and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest. (f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. (g) Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level 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. GS-6. (a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. (b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. (c) 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. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. (d) Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for [care, including] medication, equipment-assisted care and [patient/family education. In organizing and delivering care, the LPN/LVN recognizes and] considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors. (e) Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. (f) Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, (g) 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. (h) Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 06. ["This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 31, 2022. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be July 7, 2022, with subsequent cut-off dates every Monday. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until position(s) are filled. The Incumbent will be responsible for assessment, treatment, planning, coordination, and documentation of care that facilitates diagnosing and treatment of Veterans with gastrointestinal and hepato-biliary disorders based on age-specific components. Serve as a resource for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. The incumbent is expected to be technically proficient and self-directed in initiating, performing, and completing practical nursing care to patients in the GI Endoscopy area and clinic. Exhibit independent clinical/ technical judgment, critical thinking skills, and possess a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art, and science of practical nursing. Contributes to the provisions of optimum nursing care in accordance with the overall plan of Nursing Service. The LPN demonstrates knowledge, experience, skills, and self-motivation to carry out patient assignments to include: maintaining the appointment schedule for GI/Hepatology Clinics, prioritize patient care needs, check in and interview patients, medication administration, assist with minor procedures, and documentation. The incumbent will be expected to carry out the following duties: Oxygen therapy Possess knowledge to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken on commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications. Provide patient and family education regarding the patient's condition and gastroenterology disease processes. Assist with pre-procedure and post-procedure assessment of patients, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and support the RN in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing personnel in delivery of patient care. Medication administration to include IV medication if certified. Clinical reminders with appropriate consults and alerts as indicated. Check expiration dates of meds and supplies. Documentation of care and patient's response. Assist in orientation and competency validation of peers and subordinates. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Shift Work, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm or 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. (subject to change based on agency needs)\nCompressed/Flexible: Not Authorized\nTelework: Not Authorized\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nPCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required Physical Requirements: The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. Columbia VA Health Care System is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients. There is a large outpatient psychiatric population, with admissions for medical co-morbidities. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pushing, and pulling. Transferring objects and patients may be required. Lift 45 pounds or over, carry 45 pounds or over, reaching above the shoulders, and emotional stability. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to DON protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. LPN Salary Rates:\nGS-3 31,431 - 40,861\nGS-4 34,445 - 48,677\nGS-5 41,894 - 54,461\nGS-6 46,700 - 60,710"]