Licensed Practical Nurse- NW CBOC

The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System seeks a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for the Northwest Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). This position provides quality nursing care to a culturally diverse Veteran population in a variety of clinical settings including acute care, residential, mental health, rehabilitation, palliative, and hospice care.

You will work under supervision from a higher-grade LPN, registered nurse (RN), or Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP), delivering practical nursing care to adult and geriatric patients with varying physical, mental, behavioral, and psychological needs. The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System is a Level 1a major interdisciplinary teaching facility with medical, surgical, and neurological inpatient and outpatient services, a Level III Emergency Department, multiple community-based outpatient clinics, a large outpatient psychiatric population, a Southwest Blind Rehabilitation Center, and Home-Based Primary Care services.

Responsibilities

• Provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and behavioral problems
• Prepare, administer, and document oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous medications as permitted by facility policies and procedures
• Observe and document patient responses to medications and report any changes in patient condition to the RN or MD/DO
• Document care in the medical record and report observations and findings to the registered nurse and clinical provider
• Orient and train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and nursing assistants/health technicians in relation to acceptable standards of practice
• Provide effective patient and family education regarding disease processes, medications, and prescribed treatment regimens
• Serve as a responsible member of the nursing team, interacting appropriately with patients, family members, and professional and supportive personnel
• Recognize the need for and institute emergency measures when indicated; promptly seek assistance from the RN or MD/DO and assist in resuscitation procedures
• Recognize and appropriately respond to equipment breakage, malfunction, loss, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action

Required Qualifications

• Active, full, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse in a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth
• Graduation from 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 of program completion (exceptions apply for military healthcare education accepted by the licensing body and certain VHA employee conversions)
• U.S. citizenship
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English
• Ability to pass a pre-employment physical examination
• Willingness to undergo urinalysis screening for illegal drug use
• Selective Service registration (males born after December 31, 1959)

Grade Qualifications

GS-3: None beyond basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license; however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher-level review depending on complexity.

GS-4: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN/LVN; OR 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 that provided practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures; OR graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.

GS-5: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level, plus demonstrated ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and behavioral problems; serve as a responsible member of the nursing team; prepare, administer, and appropriately document medications; recognize and respond to emergency situations; and respond appropriately to equipment issues and safety hazards. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures, though more complex practices may require closer higher-level review.

GS-6: Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level, fully meeting all GS-5 performance requirements, plus demonstrated technical proficiency in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties; knowledge and ability to carry out assigned patient care based on patient conditions; ability to use judgment in selecting appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; ability to observe, identify, and respond to patient needs; knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations; and knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations, and reactions to situations.

Education

• Graduation from 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)
• Only education from institutions accredited by accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education will be credited
• Foreign education must be accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency

Licenses and Certifications

• Active, full, current, and unrestricted Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) license in a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth

Additional Requirements

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all VA Health Care Personnel. All healthcare personnel must receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption has been granted. Violation may result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.
• Subject to background and security investigation
• Must complete an online onboarding process
• Acceptable form of identification required (REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state-issued identification card effective May 7, 2025)
• Subject to a 1 or 2-year trial period during which fitness and whether continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated
• Employment will be terminated upon completion of trial period unless written certification is received that continued employment advances the public interest

Physical Requirements

• Moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds) and carrying (up to 44 pounds)
• Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers; both hands required
• Walking, kneeling, and standing up to 1.5 hours
• Repeated bending; both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 inches to 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required
• Depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)

Schedule

• Full-time position
• Monday through Friday
• Four ten-hour tours depending on facility needs
• Telework is not available
• This is not a virtual position

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $48,766 to $88,753 per year (GS-3 to GS-6)
• Federal employee benefits package including health insurance, retirement, and annual leave
• Eligible federal employees may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service
• Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is not authorized

Application Information

• Open to U.S. citizens, nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Open to the public and current federal employees of the hiring agency
• Veterans' preference applies; eligible veterans should claim 5-point (TP), 10-point (CP/CPS/XP), or Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) and provide DD-214 documentation
• Disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference must submit SF-15 with required proof
• This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status
• The VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply
• Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the VA does not request criminal history prior to a tentative job offer
• Announcement number: CBSX-13033102-26-SW
• Closing date: August 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
• Location: Tucson, Arizona (1 vacancy)