Practical Nurse Community Living Center (CLC)

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)

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

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 (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed.
• Licensure: Full, active, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• English Language Proficiency: Proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).
• May qualify under the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (applicable only to current VHA employees who meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations

GS‑3

• None beyond the basic requirements listed above.

GS‑4

• Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN, or
• Graduation from an approved school (waivable) and one year of experience providing nursing care in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical‑nursing facility, or
• Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
• LPNs at the GS‑4 level perform all duties of GS‑3 and are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and operate in accordance with established policies, procedures, and techniques.

GS‑5

• Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS‑4 level or equivalent.
• Demonstrated ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with diverse physical and/or behavioral problems.
• Works with RN and/or MD/DO to orient/train less‑experienced LPNs/LVNs and Nursing Assistants/Health Technicians.
• Provides effective patient and family education regarding disease processes, medication, and prescribed treatment regimens.
• Prepares, administers, and documents oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications per local policies; observes patient response and reports changes to RN or MD/DO.
• Recognizes and initiates emergency measures when indicated, seeking assistance from RN or MD/DO and assisting in resuscitation.
• Identifies and reports equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies.
• Works under general supervision of an RN or MD/DO; possesses broad knowledge of practical nursing procedures, with more complex practices subject to higher‑level review.

GS‑6

• Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS‑5 level (or equivalent) and full performance of GS‑5 duties.
• Technically proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties for variable patient populations.
• Uses judgment to select appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; accurately records relevant patient information.
• Observes, identifies, and responds to patient needs—including medication, equipment‑assisted care, and education—while considering emotional, cultural, spiritual, socioeconomic, and age‑related factors.
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous) and documents patient responses, reporting deviations to RN or MD/DO.
• Recognizes urgent or emergent situations, seeks RN/MD/DO assistance, and initiates appropriate emergency interventions.
• Applies knowledge of human behavior to interact effectively with patients, families, and staff.
• Establishes constructive relationships with patients and families, promoting privacy, dignity, and positive communication.
• Incorporates established customer‑service standards in all interactions.
• Performs support duties for complex diagnostic tests or specialized procedures, including patient preparation, assistance during the examination, and post‑procedure monitoring.
• Serves as a preceptor for less‑experienced LPNs/LVNs or Nursing Assistants/Health Technicians on complex or specialized tasks.
• Actively seeks educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and shares new knowledge with staff to improve practice.

Preferred Experience

• Long‑term care (LTC) experience or at least one year of medical‑surge experience.

Physical Requirements

Must meet VA Directive and Handbook 5019 and the local LPN/LVN physical standard.

Duties

• Provide assigned patient‑care duties that promote quality health care, positive customer service, and a veteran‑focused environment.
• Initiate, perform, and complete nursing tasks for variable patient populations, using judgment to determine appropriate procedures and treatment sequences.
• Observe, identify, and respond to patient needs—including medication administration, equipment‑assisted care, and patient/family education—while considering emotional, cultural, spiritual, socioeconomic, and age‑related factors.
• Prepare and administer prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications; document actions and patient responses; report any deviations to RN or MD/DO.
• Recognize and respond to emergent situations, seeking assistance from RN or MD/DO and participating in resuscitation as directed.
• Apply knowledge of human behavior to interact effectively with patients, families, and staff.
• Incorporate established customer‑service standards in all interactions with patients, families, and internal/external customers.
• Assist with complex diagnostic tests or specialized procedures, including patient preparation, equipment handling, and monitoring before, during, and after the procedure.
• Serve as a preceptor, orienting, educating, and training less‑experienced LPNs/LVNs or Nursing Assistants/Health Technicians.
• Seek out and share educational opportunities to enhance nursing practice.

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm.

Pay

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases.
• A higher step rate within the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special VA needs (above minimum rate of the grade).

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 37–50 days per year (13–26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 Federal holidays). Applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave based on prior work or military service.
• Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid leave after 12 months of employment for birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Child‑Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full‑time employees with family income below $144,000 may receive a subsidy up to 25 % of eligible child‑care costs, capped at $416.66 per month.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % VA contributions.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care coverage.