Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - Community Living Center at Washington DC VA Medical Center

Are you a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) looking to serve those who have served our nation? The Washington DC VA Medical Center is actively seeking a qualified LPN to join its esteemed Community Living Center (CLC) team. This is a unique opportunity to provide essential care to Veterans in a supportive and professional environment, offering competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and the potential for student loan relief through the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

About the Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs & Washington DC VA Medical Center

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to fulfilling President Lincoln's promise to care for the men and women who have served in our nation's military and their families. The Washington DC VA Medical Center (DC VAMC) stands as a vital tertiary care, Complexity Level 1A major interdisciplinary teaching facility, providing a broad spectrum of primary and specialty medical, surgical, neurological, and psychiatric care. With 174 acute care beds and an adjacent 120-bed Community Living Center, the DC VAMC offers extensive extended care services, including geriatric long-term care, hospice, and palliative care. It also serves as a Polytrauma Network Site, supporting Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and operates multiple Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and a 24/7 Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC).

Job Responsibilities

As a Licensed Practical Nurse in the Community Living Center, you will be instrumental in delivering high-quality, Veteran-centered care. Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Medication Administration: Accurately preparing, administering, and documenting medications and immunizations as prescribed, ensuring patient safety.
• Direct Patient Care: Providing specialized, patient-centered care for Veterans with diverse needs, including those requiring long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, and end-of-life support.
• Collaborative Care: Working closely with physicians, nurse practitioners, medical residents, students, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care.
• Patient and Family Education: Conducting learning needs assessments and providing individualized teaching on self-administration of medications and other health maintenance topics.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Observing patients for subtle physical and emotional changes, particularly those related to medications and treatments, and promptly reporting any deviations to the Registered Nurse (RN) or physician.
• Care Planning: Contributing to the development and implementation of care plans, supporting patient self-management, prevention, and wellness goals.
• Quality Improvement: Participating in performance and quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and safety.
• Specialized Procedures: Assisting with complex diagnostic tests and specialized procedures, including patient preparation, monitoring, and post-procedure care.
• Communication: Establishing constructive relationships with patients and families, fostering an environment of respect for privacy and dignity, and effectively utilizing customer service standards in all interactions.

Requirements

To be considered for this critical role, candidates must meet the following essential requirements:

• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• English Proficiency: Must be proficient in both spoken and written English.
• Education: Graduation from a practical or vocational nursing program that is approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed.
• Licensure: Possess a full, active, current, and unrestricted license as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
• Physical Requirements: Must meet specific physical demands, including visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, and the ability to sustain prolonged periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required.
• Health and Safety: Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and complete annual Employee Health requirements, including participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Screening: Subject to a background/security investigation and urinalysis for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Documentation: Must be able to provide acceptable forms of identification for pre-employment verification.

Preferred Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience working in a Long Term Care setting is highly desirable.

Salary Overview

This position is classified at the GS-6 grade level. The annual salary for this role ranges from $67,547 to $87,810, with potential for a higher step rate based on exceptional qualifications or the specific needs of the VA. Salary increases are provided regularly.

Benefits

Choosing a career with the VA offers a robust benefits package designed to support your well-being and financial security:

• Paid Time Off: Earn 37-50 days of paid time off annually, comprising annual leave (4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period based on years of service), sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Leave Accrual Credit: Selected applicants may receive credit for prior work experience or military service, potentially accelerating annual leave accrual.
• Parental Leave: Enjoy up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave following the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child, after 12 months of employment.
• Child Care Subsidy: Full-time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy covering up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, up to a monthly maximum.
• Retirement: Benefit from a traditional federal pension with a 5-year vesting period and a federal 401K plan with up to a 5% employer match from the VA.
• Insurance: Access to a wide range of federal insurance programs, including health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance, many of which can be continued into retirement.
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Eligible participants may receive student loan payment reimbursement, up to $200,000 over one to five years. Application and approval are required.

Application Tips

To ensure your application stands out and receives full consideration, please follow these recommendations:

• Resume Detail: Craft a comprehensive resume that meticulously details your experience, skills, and accomplishments, directly aligning them with the requirements and duties outlined in this announcement. Use keywords from the job description.
• Accuracy: Ensure all information provided in your application, including work history and educational details, is accurate and verifiable. Omissions or errors can negatively impact your candidacy.
• Required Documents: Upload all necessary supporting documents as specified in the 'Required Documents' section of the announcement. Common examples include licenses, transcripts (if applicable), and SF-50s for former/current federal employees.
• Questionnaire Completion: Answer the occupational questionnaire thoughtfully and honestly. Your responses are a critical part of the evaluation process.
• Timeliness: Submit your complete application package well before the closing date of November 3, 2026, to avoid any last-minute technical issues.
• Contact: If you encounter difficulties applying online or need alternative submission methods, reach out to the designated Agency Contact as soon as possible.

The Licensed Practical Nurse position at the Washington DC VA Medical Center's Community Living Center offers a fulfilling career path for dedicated nurses. By joining the VA, you become part of an organization deeply committed to honoring and serving Veterans. This role provides the opportunity for professional growth, excellent work-life balance through comprehensive benefits, and the profound satisfaction of contributing to the health and well-being of our nation's heroes. Don't miss this chance to make a meaningful impact.

Feature	Details
Job Title	Licensed Practical Nurse - Community Living Center
Agency	Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) / Washington DC VA Medical Center
Location	Washington, District of Columbia
Grade Level	GS-6
Salary Range	$67,547 - $87,810 per year
Application Close Date	November 3, 2026
Key Benefit	Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Eligibility
Hiring Path	Open to the public
Work Schedule	Variable shifts (e.g., 7:30 am - 10:00 pm, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm)
Required Licensure	Active LPN/LVN License
Required Experience	Graduation from accredited LPN/LVN program
Preferred Experience	2 years Long Term Care experience
Federal Benefits	Pension, 401K, Paid Time Off, Health/Life Insurance, Parental Leave, Child Care Subsidy