Practical Nurse

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.

This position is for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for the Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Unit (1U), at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System in Richmond, VA. The LPN is directly responsible to the Registered Nurse and accountable for the provision of direct patient care and for delivering quality nursing care to a culturally diverse Veteran population with complex needs. If selected at lower grade level, direct and indirect care to patients while under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Uses basic knowledge of medical/surgical nursing skills and procedures to provide the following under the direct observation of an RN or an LPN GS6 until a successful return demonstration is documented. Assists with patient admission and discharge. Participates in patient care conferences and contributes to the formulation of the interdisciplinary patient care plan. Performs colostomy care for stabilized patient's colostomies. Catheterizes and irrigates bladders. Establishes closed drainage systems and provides routine catheter care. Initiate's oxygen therapy as ordered by the physician or as directed by the RN. Applies hot/cold devices. Suction's mouth, pharynx, and trachea. Performs postural draining and cupping. Utilizing proper body mechanics, positions, turns, lifts, and transfers patients. Cares for the patients in isolation. Administers enemas. Demonstrates skill in aseptic technique with wet and dry wound dressing. Applies binders and protective devices. Assists the RN and physician in routine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and in emergency situations. Accepts and performs any other assignment designated by the professional registered nurse in charge that is essential to the care of patients and appropriate to the LPN's level of training. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8 or 12 hour shifts (includes weekends and/or holidays) Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Monique Head, monique.head@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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 #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.