Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse (Mental Health)

What you would do

• Collect patient data and help assess health status.
• Carry out parts of patient care plans as delegated.
• Prepare and give medications and treatments as facility policy allows.
• Record and report changes in patient physical condition and behavior.
• Document care in the electronic record.
• Tell emergency situations from non-emergency ones and report them promptly.

Do you qualify for GS-3 to GS-6?

With experience: GS-3 needs no experience beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 needs 6 months as an LPN or LVN, or 1 year of nursing care work in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or similar facility; GS-5 needs 1 year at the GS-4 level, and GS-6 needs 1 more year at the GS-5 level.

With education: You can qualify with graduation from a state-approved or NLNAC-accredited practical or vocational nursing school. Military health care education accepted by your state licensing body can also count. For GS-4, graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months can qualify. Only education from U.S. Department of Education recognized accredited schools counts, and foreign education needs a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Licenses and certifications you need:

• Full, active, current, and unrestricted LPN or LVN license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia

How to apply well

What to send:

• Long-form resume or CV showing each job's title, duties, month and year dates, and hours per week
• Copy of your LPN or LVN license
• Transcript, if you use education to qualify
• Most recent non-award SF-50 showing grade and step, if you are a current or former federal employee
• Cover letter, if applicable
• DD-214 or disability letter (VA), if applicable
• SF-15, if applicable

How you will be rated: You are rated on how well you meet the qualifications and questionnaire, and the VA verifies your resume, so it must clearly show your experience because the VA will not assume anything. Missing required forms can result in an ineligible rating (IFFM), and selected applicants may be asked to write narrative responses to KSAs (knowledge, skills, and abilities).

Tips for this job:

• Make your resume show each job's title, duties, month and year start and end dates, and hours per week, because the VA checks your answers against it.
• Attach a copy of your LPN or LVN license and your transcript if you use education to qualify.
• If you are a current federal employee, attach a non-award SF-50 that is less than a year old and shows grade and step.

Good to know before you apply

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Shifts could be days, evenings, nights, or include weekends and holidays. Multiple tours are available and will be discussed at interview.

Incentives and relocation: Sign-on bonus and relocation assistance are not authorized for this job.

Conditions of employment:

• U.S. citizenship
• Drug test (urinalysis) before appointment
• Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Background and security investigation
• Pre-employment evaluation
• Online onboarding with acceptable ID; non-REAL ID driver's licenses are not accepted
• Seasonal flu vaccination required, or an approved exemption with a face mask
• 1 or 2-year trial period
• Veterans' preference is waived for this announcement
• Physical demands include long periods of standing, walking, and patient transfers
• Applicants pending education or licensure may be tentatively selected but not hired until requirements are met

Job details

Salary

$63,709 – $98,657 per year

Pay scale and grade

GS-3 to GS-6 · General Schedule

Location

Bedford, Massachusetts

Appointment

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Excepted

Security clearance

Not Required

Travel

Not required

Drug test

Not required

Supervisory

No

Occupation

Practical Nurse (0620)

Announcement

CBTD-13103910-27-JM