Skip to content
All jobs

Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse

Veterans Health Administration

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Posted Sep 17

Shift and hours
Days
Unit and setting
Long Term Care
License
LPN or LVN license English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] spoken and written English.English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] spoken and written English.
Term
Permanent

Do you qualify?

License
English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] spoken and written English.
License
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.
License
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.
Certification
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.
Experience
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.
Experience
At least 1 year of specialized experience as a PACT/Outpatient LPN preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Also asks
You must be a U. S. Citizen to apply for this job.
Also asks
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Also asks
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
Also asks
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).
Also asks
Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
Also asks
Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
Also asks
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
Also asks
The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. The actual grade at which an applicant is selected for this vacancy is 7. Physical
Also asks
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.
Also asks
Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
Also asks
Subject to background/security investigation.
Also asks
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Also asks
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.
Also asks
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:…

What it pays

Benefits

  • 401k/Retirement
  • PTO
  • Paid Leave

The workplace

Veterans Health Administration
Health system employer
Nationally the VA describes itself as the largest U.S. nurse employer, with more than 120,000 RNs, APNs, LPNs, and nursing assistants. The VA has said it is on pace to reduce staff by nearly 30,000 by the end of FY2025…
Veterans Health Administration, in its own words

Worth asking

  • Can you walk me through differentials?
  • What should I expect for weekly hours, weekend, holiday, call, and rotation?
More questions to ask
  • What orientation, preceptor time, and ongoing unit support are included?
  • How are patient load, floating, and staffing support handled day to day?
Build questions for this role

Your fit

About this role

The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) is to deliver comprehensive and proactive nursing care that advances quality health outcomes, fosters exceptional patient and family-centered service, and strengthens an environment dedicated to the care of Veterans.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: Carries out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex care settings. Incorporates current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Utilizes broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans.

Read the full posting

Assists RN and/or provider to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or provider of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention.

Participates to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. Observes more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrates taking appropriate action based on those observations. Proactively assists the RN or provider in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received.

(This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Readily recognizes the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly informs the RN or provider of observed changes in patient's condition and initiates appropriate, prescribed interventions. Demonstrates broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels. Promptly recognizes potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance of the RN and/or provider for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervenes, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery.

Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions. Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media.

Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice. Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas.

Supports the RN or provider in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly Work Schedule: 7:00am-3:30pm, Monday-Friday Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Available Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Available Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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 #:554-99263 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available

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

The posting’s own wording (5)

Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] spoken and written English.

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 agency and/or [accredited by] the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)] at the time the program was completed by the applicant. 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 stated in section A, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade.

The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-7: Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings.

Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received.

Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media.

Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision.

Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. Preferred

Experience

At least 1 year of specialized experience as a PACT/Outpatient LPN preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. The actual grade at which an applicant is selected for this vacancy is 7. Physical

Requirements

This clinical position includes a level of physicality normally associated with direct patient care duties performed by nurses such as long periods of continued walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling. Examples may include, but are not limited to: significant amounts of time standing, assisting assigned patients utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols

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/examination.

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:…

Sourced from Veterans Health Administration’s careers page.

What's around it?

In Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs, COFrom Census ACS 2024.

Living costs about the same as the US average

Median rent
$1,648/mo
Household income
$84,818/yr, all local households, not nurse pay

See Colorado Springs, CO

Help improve this pageShare what it’s like, leave a heads-up, or ask about this posting.
What would you like to do?
Add ratings or a short headline

A person reviews every submission before anything changes.

From nurses, to nurses