Licensed Practical Nurse (Hiring Immediately)
Licensed Practical Nurse The Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse for the Sheridan VA Health Care System in Sheridan, WY. The Licensed Practical Nurse provides direct patient and resident care to acutely and chronically ill patients with medical and psychiatric illnesses in settings such as acute medical units, mental health units, the Community Living Center, residential rehabilitation, and ambulatory care under the direction of a licensed physician or Registered Nurse. Agency: Veterans Health Administration Facility: Sheridan VA Health Care System Location: Sheridan, WY Vacancies: 1 Salary: $47,381 - $86,232 per year Pay Scale & Grade: GS-3 to GS-6 Promotion Potential: GS-6 Work Schedule: Full-time; shift work Appointment Type: Permanent Telework: Not available Remote/Virtual: Not available Travel Required: Not required Relocation Expenses: Not reimbursed PCS: Not authorized Drug Test: Required Security Clearance: Not required Position Sensitivity/Risk: Non-sensitive / Low Risk Background Check: Credentialing and suitability/fitness required Financial Disclosure: Not required Federal Service: Excepted Service Union Representation: Yes Supervisory Status: No Functional Statement: 51602-A, 51603-A, 51604-A, 51605-A Key Responsibilities: Collect, report, and record appropriate patient care data to contribute to the nursing assessment. Serve as a member of the interdisciplinary team and provide input into treatment plans. Identify and report signs, symptoms, and changes in patient condition. Identify potential suicide risks and report concerns to the Registered Nurse or provider. Prepare and administer prescribed medications according to established policy and procedure. Observe, report, and document patient responses to medications and treatments. Provide nursing care to acute and chronically ill patients with medical and mental health conditions. Recognize expected outcomes of interventions and exchange information with the treatment team. Reinforce instructions previously presented by a Registered Nurse or physician. Promote environmental safety, security, and patient confidentiality. Recognize and report unsafe equipment or situations. Maintain therapeutic interpersonal relationships with patients and coworkers. Adapt to changing health care needs and participate in an evolving care environment. Perform basic practical nursing procedures, practices, and techniques for stable patients with medical and mental health conditions. Recognize and report emergency situations. Perform Foley catheter insertions and IV management. Perform IV insertions using aseptic technique if valid state certification is held. Enter patient information into the electronic health record using appropriate formats, medical terminology, and templates. Maintain complete, confidential, and professional documentation. Build positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, patients, stakeholders, and community agencies. Attend interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, staff meetings, and other appropriate meetings or committees. Identify process and quality improvement opportunities and contribute through data collection. Perform additional duties as needed. Basic Qualifications: Must be a U.S. Citizen. Non-citizens may only be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Must be a 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 at the time the program was completed. Must have full, active, current, and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. Applicants pending completion of education, certification, or licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Must be subject to a background/security investigation. Must pass a pre-employment physical examination. Must pass pre-employment drug testing and remain subject to testing requirements for this testing designated position. Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959. Must complete all application requirements and online onboarding requirements. Must provide acceptable identification for employment eligibility verification. Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as required for Department of Veterans Affairs health care personnel. Selected applicant will be required to serve a one-year or two-year trial period. Eligibility: This announcement is open to current, permanent Sheridan VA Health Care System employees and all other federal employees. Applicants who do not meet those eligibilities were directed to apply under the public announcement CBSU-12944831-26-CJ. The two-page resume requirement does not apply to this position. This is an open continuous announcement and will remain open until September 30, 2026. The initial cutoff date for review was May 5, 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. GS-3 Qualification Requirements: Must meet the basic qualification requirements. No additional experience beyond the basic requirements is required. GS-4 Qualification Requirements: Must have six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or Must have graduation from an approved school and one year of experience involving nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility; or Must have graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5 Qualification Requirements: Must have at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Must demonstrate knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with physical and/or behavioral problems. Must be able to work with the RN and/or physician to orient or train less experienced LPNs/LVNs, Nursing Assistants, or Health Technicians. Must be able to provide effective education to patients and family members regarding common disease processes, medications, and prescribed treatment regimens. Must be able to serve as a responsible nursing team member and interact appropriately with patients, families, and health care staff. Must have knowledge and skill to prepare, administer, and document commonly prescribed medications as permitted by facility policy. Must be able to recognize the need for emergency measures and seek appropriate assistance. GS-6 Qualification Requirements: Must have at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent. Must be technically proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties for variable patient populations. Must be able to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments. Must accurately recognize, report, and record relevant patient information. Must be able to observe, identify, and respond to patient needs, including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education. Must prepare and administer prescribed medications and treatments according to established policies and procedures. Must recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Must understand human behavior, patient motivations, and patient reactions in order to work effectively with patients, families, and staff. Must establish constructive relationships with patients and families while maintaining privacy and dignity. Must perform support duties for complex diagnostic tests, specialized practices, or procedures. Must be able to serve as a preceptor for less experienced LPNs/LVNs or Nursing Assistants/Health Technicians. GS-6 is the full performance level of this vacancy. Preferred Experience: Three years of direct patient care experience preferred. Education: Education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be supported by a certificate of foreign equivalency if used to meet qualification requirements. Transcripts must be submitted if using education to qualify. Physical Requirements: This position may require flexibility in schedule and assignments because it is part of a 24/7/365 facility. May require long periods of walking, standing, or sitting. May involve exposure to infectious materials and patients. May involve exposure to patients who are combative, delirious, have psychiatric disorders, or have dementia. Basic Life Support certification is required. Level 3 PMDB completion is required. Required Documents: Resume SF-50 / Notification of Personnel Action Standard Clinical Resume Document uploaded into the restricted resume field Full resume or CV may be uploaded separately into the Other document upload field without page limitation License, if applicable or required Transcript, if using education to qualify Professional certification, if applicable Cover letter and other supporting documents, if applicable Benefits: Competitive salary with regular salary increases. 37 to 50 days of paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service, subject to approval. Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment. Potential child care subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment. Federal retirement benefits, including a traditional pension and 401(k)-style plan with up to 5% VA contributions. Federal health, vision, dental, t
