Summary

The LPN practices within Patient Care Services for the Montana VA Health Care System supports the mission and vision of Patient Care Services and the Healthcare System. The LPN serves adult and elderly Veterans.

Qualifications

***This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until February 13th - 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be November 28th - 2025 - with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until position is filled.*** 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
• 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 by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and/or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) http://www.nlnac.org (copy of transcripts required) OR 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
• 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: In addition to the Basic Requirements - candidates must meet requirements for each grade level applied for as outlined below: GS-05: Requires at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent
• In addition the following criteria must be met: Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with patients - family members - professional and supportive personnel patient care - incorporating acceptable - established customer service standards into practice
• 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
• 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
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
• 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: Requires at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN
• In addition the following criteria must be met: Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations
• Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patient' conditions
• Ability to observe - identify - and respond to the patient's needs for care - including medication - equipment-assisted care - and patient/family education
• Prepare and administer prescribed medication (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular - and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures
• Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments - promptly and accurately documenting noted changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations - seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO - and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• 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
• Establish constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships - communication - and socialization skills
• 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 patient's condition before - during - and following the procedure
• Actively seek out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• Preferred Experience: 2-3 years of LPN Experience - Surgical Outpatient - Med/Surg - or Clinical Experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: The work involves long periods of moving about the work unit
• The work requires regular and recurring bending - lifting - stooping - stretching - lifting and repositioning and transferring patients
• Incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative - secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders and patients who require restraints
• The incumbent must be a mature - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - demonstrating cheerfulness - compassion - courtesy and concern
• Must be quick and dependable in taking emergency action in using initiative to prevent accidents

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent will have 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
• Interacts and communicates appropriately to establish constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feeling 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
• Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and/or prescribed treatment regimes - as well as specialty concerns
• Reacts to stress of self and others with self-control and appropriate behavior
• Projects a positive image of the VA
• Contributes to team cohesion with judicious use of leave
• Interacts with hospital employees and visitors in a cooperative and professional manner
• Initiates and completes appropriate reports for patient and employee incidents
• Works with the RN/MD to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs in relation to acceptable standards or practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery
• Provides professional behavior (i.e. - respect - civility - ability to accept constructive feedback)
• Maintains a work environment that honors diversity
• Adheres to and promotes safe practices including: a
• Use of infection control equipment (Personal Protective Equipment) - infection control policies/procedures - and universal precautions
• b
• Use of proper body mechanics and safety equipment i.e. - lifts
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss or equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action and following up to assure correction of problem
• Recognizes and reports patient - employee - and/or visitor incidents per procedure/policy
• Provides safe care and conserves resources effectively
• Adheres to all requirements in regard to reusable medical equipment
• Utilizes equipment and supplies according to manufacturer and safety policies and procedures and assists others to do so
• Checks ongoing expiration dates of medications and supplies
• Utilizes equipment and supplies according to manufacturer and safety policies and procedures and assists others to do so
• Checks ongoing expiration dates of medications and supplies
• Adheres to policies and procedures related to fire and disaster drills - and security measures
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 57956-A - 57957-A - 57958-A & 57959-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized