Summary

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. 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.

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.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written 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 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-7: The GS-07 grade level is for select - complex LPN/LVN positions - as established by each health care facility
• To be advanced - employees must meet all of the following standards - provided the standard is part of their assignment
• Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent - fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN and the knowledge - skills and abilities at the grade 07 level
• AND
• GS-07 KSA's: Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties - including assignments in selected - more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings
• Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions
• Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans
• Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery
• Makes astute observations of subtle - less obvious changes - both physical and emotional - in patient's condition - and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan
• Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention
• At this grade level - the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing - and - as appropriate - modifying patient care treatment
• They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations
• Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments - accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received
• (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions - promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate - prescribed interventions
• Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels
• Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations - seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene - as directed - to assure the continuation of optimal - safe and therapeutic patient care delivery
• At this grade level - the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate
• Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes
• Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control - resistant or abusive behaviors - or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions
• This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision
• Exhibits skill - creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces - research projects or in developing educational materials/media
• Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice
• Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care
• Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology - effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas
• Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery
• Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO
• In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level - the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff
• Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision
• Individuals in these positions are - to a considerable extent - expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles - art and science of practical nursing
• The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision.(j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice
• Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate will have at least a LPN level degree - have experience in direct patient care of not less than 3 years - have experience in the care and management of patients with diabetes - peripheral vascular disease - and renal disease - and have a wound care certification
• The candidate would also have organizational skills - computer skill sets - and interpersonal skills necessary to provide assistance to and coordinate the various services charged with limb preservation and amputation prevention
• 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-07
• Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Licensed Practical Nurse - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-LPN-Career-Flyer.pdf The Podiatry Licensed Practical Nurse works autonomously providing leadership - case management and nursing activities for the preoperative patient without the need for direct supervision
• The LPN will oversee the daily operation of the clinic's technical staff
• The LPN will be in a key position to maintain patient flow and intervene accordingly
• In addition - the LPN will alternate in an off unit assignment to assist in the completion of Performance Improvement Processes
• The LPN must have the ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patient's condition
• to use judgement in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments and to accurately recognize - report and record relevant patient information
• Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans
• Attends meetings with the inter-disciplinary treatment team and contributes to the development and changes in the comprehensive treatment plans
• Serves as an active member of the healthcare team with professional and supportive personnel
• Demonstrates ability to vary the order/sequence of assigned procedures based on the knowledge of the patient's condition
• Assumes responsibility for a designated unit in accordance with Joint Commission Standards and recommendations
• Performs preliminary examination (foot exam) and prepares podiatric work-up (obtaining history - medication reconciliation - allergy assessment - vital signs)
• Assists with radiology - laboratory (including specimen handling and labeling) - prosthetics - or other requests - as required
• Communicates with patients via telephone encounters regarding pre-operative instructions - post-operative status and care - importance of follow-up - no-shows - travel arrangements - treatment plan - patient issues - etc
• and documents telephone conversations with patients in the medical record
• Assumes responsibility for performance improvement data collection for podiatry - reporting monthly on progress - trends and initiatives
• Trainer of phlebotomy - EKG - bladder scanning - nail trimming - foot care and vital sign skills for floats or new employees - utilizing the clinics policies and procedures for training
• Ensures proper set up of treatment room for treatment of patients at the start of the clinic day and proper breakdown of treatment room at end of the clinic day
• Ensures proper cleanup and disposal of contaminated procedures
• Knowledge of sterile technique - sterile tray set-up and breakdown - infection control and use universal precautions for self and patient protection at all times
• Performs nail debridement - dressing changes - wound care - foot care - suture removal - cast removal and application - and other assigned duties under the direction of DPM
• Triages the daily podiatry schedule
• Participates in Prevention of Amputation in Veterans Everywhere (PAVE) program activities
• Provides patient teaching and foot care education
• Maintains patient flow and workflow in clinic setting
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 911010 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• EDRP Authorized: Contact Karen Chapman karen.chapman@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• 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)