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.

Duties

The Licensed Practical Nurse is a member of the Dermatology team who works under the direction of the Registered Nurse and or Physician with minimal supervision and is accountable to the Clinic Nurse Manager. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (Dermatology) performs complex nursing assignments within their setting. Performs complex practical nursing skills with precision and efficiency, consistent with Medical Center policy and procedure and within the legal and ethical responsibilities of licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Demonstrates self-direction, independence, and critical thinking skills in carrying out simple to the most complex practical nursing care assignments for variable patient populations. The LPN is expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art, and science of practical nursing. Other responsibilities include, but not limited to the following duties: Provides safe and individualized nursing care to patients in the Dermatology clinic and procedure room setting. Demonstrates active collaboration and communication with the Dermatology Team (Patient, Providers, Case Managers, Operating Room Staff and Clerical Staff) and additional members (family/caregiver, internal and community-based services involved in providing care to the patient. 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 health condition, which may include prescribed medications/treatments, to promptly and accurately documenting identified changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN/HCP. Demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform treatments, procedures and the use and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment appropriate to assigned duties. Initiates appropriate actions based on his/her observations of the patient's condition. Demonstrates knowledge of Reusable Medical Equipment {RME), manufacturer's guidelines and facility standard operating procedures {SOP); high-level disinfection processes for Dermatology instruments, pre-cleaning, and preventative care. Collaborates with provider and SPS to ensure optimal functioning of Dermatology instruments. When repair by outside vendor is required, the LPN follows proper protocol and preparation of the repair request. Assists other staff in order to prioritize the overall veteran care needs and adjusts the plan of care as needed. Utilizes astute assessment skills, which allow for observation of obvious and subtle changes in the veteran health condition. Responds diligently to the veteran changes and deteriorating condition in emergent situations, notifying appropriate personnel in a timely manner. Performs other related duties as listed in functional statement. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday (Alternate tour of duty may be required based on needs of agency) Telework: Not applicable Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact James Grimm, [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are 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 by the applicant. 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 granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN. 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. Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-07: Licensed Practical Nurse. (a) 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge and skills necessary to care out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery making astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes (both physical and emotional) in patient's conditions and taking the appropriate action. Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/OD in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments and appropriately recording patient's response to medications/treatments received. Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations. Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting health lifestyles for more positive 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. Skill, creativity, and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels. 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. Ability to support the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Preferred Experience Two years of recent experience within Dermatology Clinic and Medical Specialty clinics. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient/organizational needs.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address WG Bill Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center 1601 Brenner Avenue Salisbury, NC 28144 US
• Name: Judy Moses
• Phone: (910) 853-4844
• Email: [email protected]