Licensed Practical Nurse

Quality Care Our Heroes Deserve

Now is the time to take your career to the next level and become part of the high-caliber talent that is VA. Experience what 250,000 current VA employees already have state-of-the-art practice settings, access to the latest technology, a multi-disciplinary team environment and the opportunity to provide the men and women who have bravely served this country with the finest patient care, benefits and customer satisfaction. And with VA Patient Satisfaction Scores leading the healthcare industry, you'll be joining one of the most respected facilities in the Nation.

JOB SUMMARY: Vacancy Identification Number (VIN) 1021831 Nursing Service at the VA Medical Center in Boise, ID is now recruiting to fill intermittent*, part-time, and full-time, temporary and permanent Licensed Practical Nurse positions to work in various areas of the hospital with varying work schedules. When applying for these positions, please include a cover letter with your resume stating (1) what duty schedule; full-time or part-time or intermittent and (2) what shifts; days, nights, weekends, what you prefer. The evening, night and weekend shifts qualify for Differential Pay - evenings after 6:00pm and night until 6:00am is 10% of basic hourly wage, Differential Pay for Saturday and Sunday Shifts is 25% of basic hourly wage. *Intermittent describes service performed without a regularly scheduled tour of duty and does not guarantee a specific number of hours.

The LPN provides nursing care to veterans under the direction of the RN. The LPN collects data and communicates information to assist in the assessment, implementation, education and care planning of the patient according to the local policy and standards of care. The LPN participates as a member of the primary care team in meeting the emotional and physical comfort needs of the veteran and family.

Note: The full performance level of this vacancy is grade 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of grade 3 to grade 6. The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and step at which the candidate will be placed. The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

DUTIES: The LPN supports the Medical Centers goals through participation, continuing education and adhering to the LPN scope of practice. The LPN must be able to demonstrate the ability to adapt to ever changing and unpredictable situations within the clinical setting. The LPN must be competent in computerized charting. Strong Computer skills preferred. Must be able to demonstrate oral and written communication effectively with patients, professional staff and others using positive communication strategies. Candidate must possess the ability to accept direction from multiple sources, prioritize tasks and remain adaptable to change in both the work environment and assigned work load. Functions well in a fast paced, multiple distraction environment.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass pre-employment examination
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required
• Background and-or Security Investigation required
• Full unrestricted Licensure, Certification, or Registration required.
• U. S. Citizenship

Required Skills:

• U.S. CITIZENSHIP. Non-citizens may 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. Exceptions include: (1) 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. (2) 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. (3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C. Provided the individual has demonstrated successful practice as an LPN/LVN.
• LICENSURE : Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) 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.

Preferred Experience:

(Pay - $31,304 - $37,856)

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.

(Pay - $33,505 - $40,858) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or 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.

(Pay - $35,657 - $43,883) (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.

(Pay - $37,710 - $46,881) 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. Assignments at this level are limited to situations demanding an exception degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

VA Handbook 5005/3 (includes Part II, Appendix G13, April 10, 2003) Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standards and Interpretive Guidelines PLEASE NOTE: (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Physical Demands depend on unit working in and patient needs. Physical demands may include prolonged standing and/or sitting for longer than 4 hours. May require lifting 45 pounds, repetitive stooping, bending, kneeling, squatting, and/or carrying items from one area to another.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such