U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Licensed Practical Nurse- Inpatient Mental Health
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Saint Cloud, Minnesota, us, 56398
Licensed Practical Nurse - Inpatient Mental Health
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Licensed Practical Nurse - Inpatient Mental Health
role at
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range: $53,222.00/yr - $87,647.00/yr
Summary The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) position is located within the Inpatient Mental Health Unit at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center – providing direct care to Veterans with acute psychiatric conditions. Working under the supervision of an RN or physician, the LPN monitors patients' physical and emotional health, administers medications, assists with daily living activities, and supports therapeutic interventions in a safe, recovery-focused environment.
Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d) – no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless proficient in basic written and spoken English
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
Licensure: Active, full, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or the District of Columbia
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-specific requirements as follows:
GS-03: None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-04: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN OR Graduation from an approved school and one year of experience in a nursing care work setting. OR Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
GS-05: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent, with demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care.
GS-06: Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, with technical proficiency in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties.
Preferred Experience: Mental Health experience preferred (not required).
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Duties
Total Rewards: The LPN position is located in the Inpatient Mental Health Acute Care Unit.
Care for Veterans by implementing assigned interventions aimed at maximal attainment of patient self-management, recognizing the cause and effect relationship between Veterans' behavior and physical condition, and adapting procedures to meet individual Veterans' needs.
Monitor and document patients' physical and mental health status—including vital signs, behavior changes, and responses to treatment.
Administer medications as prescribed and observe for side effects or adverse reactions.
Collect urine, use breathalyzer and other point‑of‑care specimen collection as ordered.
Assist with crisis intervention using de‑escalation techniques and support the interdisciplinary team during behavioral emergencies.
Provide direct patient care—including hygiene assistance, nutrition support, and mobility assistance—while maintaining patient dignity and safety.
Support patient safety by conducting routine safety checks, monitoring for self‑harm or aggressive behaviors, and ensuring a secure environment.
Collaborate with the healthcare team to implement individualized care plans.
Participate in treatment team meetings, nursing shift reports, and complete documentation accurately and completely addressing Veterans' complaints and care provided.
Respond to emergent and non‑emergent situations and report variances to the RN or provider.
Educate Veterans and/or family members on disease processes, medication, and prescribed treatment regimes.
Other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule Full‑time – nights scheduled Sunday through Saturday. Shifts include 12:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 a.m. Alternating weekends and holidays required.
Benefits Shift Differential – 10% of basic pay for work performed during regularly scheduled hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.; Weekend Premium – 25% of basic pay for work performed between midnight Friday and midnight Sunday; Holiday Pay – 2× basic hourly rate for regularly scheduled non‑overtime work on a designated holiday.
Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year (13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays). Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, eligible employees with a family income below $144,000 may receive a subsidy up to 25% of eligible childcare costs.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Student Loan Repayment Program up to $40,000 annually, $100,000 lifetime awards; participants must sign a three‑year service agreement.
Contact: VHAV23SLRP@va.gov for more information.
Seniority level Entry level
Employment type Full-time
Job function Health Care Provider
Industries Government Administration
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs by 2x.
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Licensed Practical Nurse - Inpatient Mental Health
role at
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range: $53,222.00/yr - $87,647.00/yr
Summary The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) position is located within the Inpatient Mental Health Unit at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center – providing direct care to Veterans with acute psychiatric conditions. Working under the supervision of an RN or physician, the LPN monitors patients' physical and emotional health, administers medications, assists with daily living activities, and supports therapeutic interventions in a safe, recovery-focused environment.
Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d) – no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless proficient in basic written and spoken English
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
Licensure: Active, full, current, and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States or the District of Columbia
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-specific requirements as follows:
GS-03: None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-04: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN OR Graduation from an approved school and one year of experience in a nursing care work setting. OR Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
GS-05: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent, with demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care.
GS-06: Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, with technical proficiency in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties.
Preferred Experience: Mental Health experience preferred (not required).
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Duties
Total Rewards: The LPN position is located in the Inpatient Mental Health Acute Care Unit.
Care for Veterans by implementing assigned interventions aimed at maximal attainment of patient self-management, recognizing the cause and effect relationship between Veterans' behavior and physical condition, and adapting procedures to meet individual Veterans' needs.
Monitor and document patients' physical and mental health status—including vital signs, behavior changes, and responses to treatment.
Administer medications as prescribed and observe for side effects or adverse reactions.
Collect urine, use breathalyzer and other point‑of‑care specimen collection as ordered.
Assist with crisis intervention using de‑escalation techniques and support the interdisciplinary team during behavioral emergencies.
Provide direct patient care—including hygiene assistance, nutrition support, and mobility assistance—while maintaining patient dignity and safety.
Support patient safety by conducting routine safety checks, monitoring for self‑harm or aggressive behaviors, and ensuring a secure environment.
Collaborate with the healthcare team to implement individualized care plans.
Participate in treatment team meetings, nursing shift reports, and complete documentation accurately and completely addressing Veterans' complaints and care provided.
Respond to emergent and non‑emergent situations and report variances to the RN or provider.
Educate Veterans and/or family members on disease processes, medication, and prescribed treatment regimes.
Other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule Full‑time – nights scheduled Sunday through Saturday. Shifts include 12:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 a.m. Alternating weekends and holidays required.
Benefits Shift Differential – 10% of basic pay for work performed during regularly scheduled hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.; Weekend Premium – 25% of basic pay for work performed between midnight Friday and midnight Sunday; Holiday Pay – 2× basic hourly rate for regularly scheduled non‑overtime work on a designated holiday.
Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year (13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays). Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, eligible employees with a family income below $144,000 may receive a subsidy up to 25% of eligible childcare costs.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Student Loan Repayment Program up to $40,000 annually, $100,000 lifetime awards; participants must sign a three‑year service agreement.
Contact: VHAV23SLRP@va.gov for more information.
Seniority level Entry level
Employment type Full-time
Job function Health Care Provider
Industries Government Administration
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs by 2x.
#J-18808-Ljbffr