The West Palm Beach Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center is looking for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to work in Surgical Care. The LPN serves as a member of the Podiatry Service with an assigned patient load and is under the guidance of a Chief of Surgical Services or designee to the Podiatry Division.

Duties

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) engages in nursing care, which requires the knowledge and skills represented by licensure as an LPN. The primary purpose to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, outstanding customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the Veteran. Other duties include but are not limited to: The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) works in the Podiatry Clinic, or any other Surgery Services Clinic as assigned under the direction of a Physician, Podiatrist, or Registered Nurse (RN) and reports to the Chief of Surgical Services or any leads. The LPN is responsible for observing, recording, reporting, changes in the patient's condition, as well as assisting in the development and revision of the patient driven holistic care plan for life for either routine clinic visits or procedural care. Knowledge, skill and experience to provide care, safety in the environment, knowledge of anatomy and physiology, disease process so the LPN can identify abnormal conditions and report these to the practitioner The LPN follows the VHA directive to prevent or delay amputations (PAVE) in the result of being diabetic, having vascular insufficiency, and/or neuropathy. Palpate and characterize dorsal pedis and posterior tibial pulses, Assess for lesions, ulcers deformities, and/or color or temperature changes, and Test for loss of protective sensation. LPN will document findings, communicate changes to disciplines involved for follow-up care. The LPN requires a general review of their work by the supervising providers or nurse for appropriateness and conformity with license, policies, and procedures. Knowledge and skill in performing manual toenail debridement and callous care using appropriate techniques and proper surgical instrumentation while maintaining universal precautions against exposure to body tissues and fluids Knowledge and skill in performing myriad casting techniques and uses proper surgical instrumentation while maintaining universal precautions against exposure to body tissues and fluids The LPN demonstrates active collaboration and communication with clinic staff, the patient's family/care giver, internal and community-based services and disciplines involved in providing care to patients. The LPN makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the patient's response. The LPN performs, reports, and records assigned nursing care, including but not limited to clinical reminders as indicated, checking expiration dates of medications and supplies, obtaining equipment, and assisting with minor procedures, documenting, and transporting procedural biological specimens, recognizing urgent or emergent patient care situations, and adhering to principles of infection control, safety, and universal precautions. The LPN prepares patients for procedures and room turnover activities, including proper patient position during procedures. The LPN is responsible for maximize patient flow through the clinic, administer vaccinations prescribed by the provider, and evaluation of each vaccination session to ensure safe effective care. The LPN performs cleaning and stocking of the clinical rooms, procedure carts and performs monthly outdate monitoring. The LPN GS-7 is fully knowledgeable and competent in the use of the Tele-Podiatry Imager Training. The LPN attends all meetings, trainings/in-services/education required to maintain proficiency in Surgery Service clinical areas. Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm; Monday thru Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), previously known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), previously known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the ACEN Website. 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. VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. 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. Complete competency Requirements for Nail Care Technician Certification within three months of beginning employment in the position. 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: Of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. S/he may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. S/he must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Applicants must possess the mental and physical ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment. Physical requirements may involve lifting, carrying, pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, walking, standing, sitting, kneeling, and repeated bending. S/he must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment.

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 West Palm Beach VA Medical Center 7305 North Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33410 US
• Name: Christal Bess
• Phone: 813-390-8214
• Email: [email protected]