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Posted: March 27, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Licensed Vocational Nurse -Behavioral Health- Education Debt Reduction Program

Veterans Health Administration

Department of Veterans Affairs

Fresh

Salary

$38,811 - $70,634

per year

Closes

April 1, 2026More VA jobs →

GS-3 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $26,979 - $35,074

Typical requirements: 6 months general experience. Some college or vocational training.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a licensed vocational nurse working in behavioral health at a VA hospital in El Paso, Texas, where you'll provide hands-on care to veterans dealing with mental and emotional health issues, administer medications, and educate patients and families.

It's a great fit for entry-level nurses who enjoy team-based patient care in a supportive government setting and want help repaying student loans through the Education Debt Reduction Program.

The role starts at a basic level but offers growth with more experience and responsibility.

Key Requirements

  • Full, active, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth
  • Graduate of an approved school of practical or vocational nursing accredited by the appropriate state agency and/or NLNAC
  • Proficiency in spoken and written English
  • U.S. citizenship (non-citizens only if qualified citizens unavailable)
  • For GS-4: Six months of qualifying LPN/LVN experience, or one year of relevant nursing care experience plus graduation from an approved school, or graduation from a 24-month approved program
  • For GS-5: At least one year of qualifying experience at GS-4 level, with demonstrated ability to provide full-range practical nursing care for physical and behavioral health issues
  • Knowledge of medication administration, patient observation, emergency measures, and patient/family education

Full Job Description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education.

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 (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant.

Licensure.

Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia.

English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.

7402(d), and 7407(d).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: GS-3. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4.

Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below:(a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or(b) Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) and one year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures; or(c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.(d) LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques.

GS-5 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.

Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.

Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery.

Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes.

Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice.

Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures.

Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO.

Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest.

Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.

Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures.

However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review.

GS-6 Completion of at least [one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent , fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN.

Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.

Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and to accurately recognize, report and record relevant] patient information.

Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures.

Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and [patient/family education.

In [organizing and delivering care, the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional , socio-economic, and age-related factors.

Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures.

Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO.

Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.

Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations, and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members, and other staff.

Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills.

Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery.

Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and, or other internal/external customers.

Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which include preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, and monitoring the patient's condition before, during, and following the procedure.

Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures.

Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice.

Preferred Experience: * Two years' ambulatory behavioral health nursing in BHIP/PACT setting * Experience in medication administration & monitoring in outpatient behavioral health * Experience providing patient education, medication support, and crises awareness * Experience working with Veterans who have complex mental health conditions * Demonstrated experience collaborating within in an interdisciplinary care team Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Major Duties:

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties outlined below are at the GS-6 full performance level Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).

The LVN GS-06 position in the Behavioral Health clinics at the El Paso VA Health Care System is responsible for the daily operations in support of Behavioral Health Care provider with the following duties: patient screening with vital signs and reason for seeking care documented, completion of clinical reminders, medication administration via oral, intramuscular and topical routes, Immunizations, patient calls, routing and follow up of patient messages, as well as dressing changes and assisting providers.

Each assigned LVN will conduct blood pressure and glucose checks as ordered by provider staff.

All clinical documentation is entered in the electronic patient record with strict security protocols followed. 1.

Technically proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. 2.

Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patents' conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; and to accurately recognize, report and record relevant patient information.

Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse or physician for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. 3.

Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care including medication equipment-assisted care and (patient/family education).

In organizing and delivering care, the LPN/LVN recognized and considers emotional, socio-economic, and age-related factors. 4.

Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures.

Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medication/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO.

5. Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent and emergent patient care situation, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed. 6.

Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations, and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members, and other staff.

7.

Established constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills, Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery.

Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other inter/external customers.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Learn more 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).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year).

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: As determined by the agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 54214F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/27/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/28/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: CAZM-12918719-26-MV