Licensed Practical Nurse- Primary Care

About the role

At the Bemidji VA Clinic, you will provide hands-on, mission-driven care that supports Veterans with diverse physical, mental, behavioral and psychological needs.

In this vital role, you'll deliver skilled nursing care, help Veterans and families navigate treatment, and contribute to a compassionate, respectful environment where dignity, safety and high-quality care guide every interaction.

What you will do

• As an LPN at the Bemidji VA Clinic, you will play an essential role in caring for Veterans across all ages and backgrounds.
• You'll use your practical nursing skills to support patient needs, deliver medication and treatment education, recognize and respond to changes in condition, and build strong, respectful relationships with Veterans and their families.
• Working closely with Registered Nurses (RNs), providers, and the broader care team, you'll contribute to a supportive, patient-centered environment rooted in dignity, safety, and exceptional service.
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties include, but are not limited to: Provides nursing care for adult and geriatric patients with diverse physical, mental, behavioral, and psychological needs.
• Carries out patient care using judgment to determine appropriate procedures, treatments, and sequencing.
• Recognizes, reports, and documents relevant patient information accurately.
• Observes, identifies, and responds to patient needs, including medication, equipment-assisted care, and patient/family education.
• Serves as a preceptor in collaboration with Registered Nurses (RNs) and/or providers to orient and train less experienced staff.
• Interacts professionally with patients, families, and the healthcare team, incorporating established customer service standards.
• Prepares, administers, and documents prescribed medications and treatments per facility policies.
• Identifies urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiates appropriate interventions under RN or provider direction.
• Establishes constructive relationships that support communication, privacy, dignity, and emotional well-being.
• Performs assigned treatments, procedures, and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment, and seeks educational opportunities to enhance practice.
• Work Schedule: This is an intermittent position.
• Intermittent employment is defined as non-fulltime employment in which employees are appointed without a regularly scheduled tour of duty.
• Work is sporadic and unpredictable so that a tour of duty may not be regularly scheduled in advance.
• Expected availability for this position is (1), 12-hour shift; or (2), 8-hour shifts per biweekly pay period.
• Additional hours may be scheduled as needed.
• Shifts may be scheduled Monday-Friday; between 8 a.m. - 4 :30 p.m. Intermittent employment is defined as non-fulltime employment in which employees serve under an appointment without a regularly scheduled tour of duty.
• A position with an intermittent work schedule is sporadic and unpredictable so that a tour of duty cannot be regularly scheduled in advance.
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Physical requirements: This position requires some degree of fitness, strength, and agility.
• Duties require extensive periods of standing and walking.
• Working with patients requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, pushing, pulling, lifting arm overhead, and similar activities.
• You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
• Fargo is part of the VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23).
• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Requirements

• 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 (***).
• 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 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.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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.

Education

Your education program must be approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission) at the time the program was completed.

Exceptions include: Health care education in the military service or training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment.

OR Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986.

OR Individual granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. 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: ***

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: ***

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

How you will be evaluated: Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: Current permanent VA employees of the facility, to include past/current/upcoming VHA HPT Graduates. All other permanent VA employees, to include past/current/upcoming VHA HPT Graduates.

Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies All other applicants based on Veterans' Preference. Note: Veterans' Preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal Agencies.

Documents you must provide

• To complete your application, please use the following link *** to download the standard Clinical Resume Document.
• This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
• Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.
• Candidates who do not yet meet the basic education/licensure requirement but are currently enrolled in school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), must provide proof of enrollment at the time of application.
• The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Supplemental document with written response to Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) - KSAs are found under Qualifications section in announcement.
• Professional Certification SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Transcripts may be required at the time of application, depending on how you meet the qualification requirements.
• Please see education section of this announcement for additional information.
• To receive full consideration for this position at the GS-4 and -5 levels, your application must clearly demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) required by the Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard found in VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G46.
• In the federal hiring process, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) are a list of special qualifications and personal attributes that you need to have for a particular job/grade level (see Qualifications section of this announcement).
• Knowledge statements refer to an organized body of information usually of a factual or procedural nature which, if applied, makes adequate performance on the job possible.
• A body of information applied directly to the performance of a function.
• Skill statements refer to the proficient manual, verbal or mental manipulation of data or things.
• Skills can be readily measured by a performance test where quantity and quality of performance are tested, usually within an established time limit.
• Ability statements refer to the power to perform an observable activity at the present time.
• This means that abilities have been evidenced through activities or behaviors that are similar to those required on the job.
• Note that abilities are different from aptitudes.
• Aptitudes are only the potential for performing the activity.
• Although not required at the time of application, we highly recommend submitting a supplemental document with your written responses to the KSAs required at each grade level you wish to be considered.
• If you choose not to submit KSA responses, please ensure your resume includes details of your experience that fully demonstrate the required KSAs as described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.
• Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.

Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.