Licensed Practical Nurse - Outpatient Specialty

The Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring a Licensed Practical Nurse for outpatient specialty care at the Dayton VA Medical Center. This position provides practical nursing care to veterans with a variety of physical and behavioral health needs in an outpatient clinic setting. You will work as part of the nursing team, delivering quality patient care while maintaining high standards of customer service and professionalism.

Clinical Setting

This is an outpatient specialty position within the VA Healthcare System serving Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan (VISN 10). The VA operates under a Whole Health System of care model that empowers veterans to take charge of their health and well-being through personalized health plans, healing relationships, and connections to community resources.

Responsibilities

• Provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and behavioral health 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 physician
• Recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations, promptly seeking assistance from the RN or physician and assisting with resuscitation procedures as needed
• Recognize and report equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies to appropriate personnel
• Serve as a responsible member of the nursing team, interacting professionally with patients, families, and healthcare personnel
• Incorporate established customer service standards into all patient interactions
• At higher grade levels, orient and train less experienced LPNs and nursing assistants
• At higher grade levels, provide patient and family education regarding disease processes, medications, and treatment regimens
• At higher grade levels, demonstrate technical proficiency in complex diagnostic tests and specialized procedures

Schedule

• Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
• Tour may vary based on service needs
• Compressed or flexible schedules are not available
• Telework is not available; this is an on-site position

Required Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship
• Active, full, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse in a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth
• Proficiency in both spoken and written English
• 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, OR military healthcare education accepted by the licensing body, OR licensure from a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school

Experience Requirements by Grade

GS-3: No experience beyond basic requirements. You will perform all duties within the scope of your LPN license, though completed work may require routine or detailed higher-level review depending on complexity.

GS-4: One of the following:

• Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN, OR
• One year of nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical or patient care facility that provided practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques, OR
• Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration

At this level, you will exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and operate in accordance with all established policies and procedures.

GS-5: One year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent, with demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide comprehensive practical nursing care, serve as a responsible team member, prepare and administer medications with appropriate documentation, recognize emergency situations, and respond to equipment and safety issues. Completed work is under general supervision of an RN or physician.

GS-6: One year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all GS-5 performance requirements. At this level, you will demonstrate technical proficiency in initiating and completing assigned duties, use judgment in selecting appropriate procedures and treatments, accurately recognize and report patient information, observe and respond to patient needs including medication and equipment-assisted care, recognize urgent or emergent situations, establish constructive relationships with patients and families, and serve as a preceptor for less experienced staff.

Education

• Graduation from an accredited school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate state agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)
• If using foreign education, a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency must be submitted with transcripts
• Only education from institutions accredited by accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education will be credited

Licenses and Certifications

• Active, full, current, and unrestricted LPN or LVN license in a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth
• Seasonal influenza vaccination or approved exemption (medical or religious) is required for all VA healthcare personnel; those with exemptions must wear a face mask

Conditions of Employment

• Drug screening: All applicants tentatively selected are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Refusal to be tested will result in denial of employment.
• Background and security investigation required
• Selective Service registration required for males born after December 31, 1959
• Trial period: You will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which the VA will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. Upon completion, your employment will be terminated unless you receive written certification that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• REAL ID compliant identification required for pre-employment verification
• Seasonal influenza vaccination participation is a requirement for all VA healthcare personnel
• This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: GS-3 to GS-6 range, $46,056 to $81,835 per year
• Paid time off: 37 to 50 days annually (13 to 26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience
• Parental leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment for birth, adoption, or foster care placement
• Childcare subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full-time employees with family income below $144,000 may be eligible for up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, maximum $416.66 monthly
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5-year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% employer contribution
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care coverage (many programs can be carried into retirement)
• Sign-on bonus: Not authorized
• Relocation assistance: Not authorized
• Regular salary increases

Application Requirements

• Resume (must include job title, detailed duties, month and year start/end dates, and full-time or part-time status with hours per week)
• Official or unofficial college transcripts
• Completion of online questionnaire
• Application deadline: August 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET

Preferred Qualifications

• Outpatient or clinic experience