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.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 15 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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.

• Citizenship – 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:
  • 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.
  • 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 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).
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as 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 – 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 graduation from an approved school and one year of experience in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical nursing or patient care facility, or graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
  • GS‑05:
    Completion of one year of qualifying experience at the GS‑4 level or equivalent; demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of 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; technically proficient in initializing, performing and completing assigned duties; knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care…