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 GS-7 Wound Treatment Associate (WTA) serves as a member of the nursing team in any Community Living Center (CLC) house. He/she provides specialized care to residents with multiple disease processes on a regular and recurring basis. The incumbent is expected to be vigilant in recognizing changes in residents' conditions, astute in assessing the need for intervention which may be of emergent nature requiring immediate attention. Duties and responsibilities involve performing specialized practical nursing activities which require work experience and demonstrated skill enough to resolve a range of nursing problems. Examples of specialized care in the Community Living Center include, but are not limited to: Wound Treatment Associate, Restorative Nursing Care, Dementia Care using a specific care model such as "Positive Approach", and Hospice/Palliative Care. The LPN GS-7 is under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, demonstrating independent technical judgment, critical thinking skills and the use of independent judgment with minimal oversight. Such individuals serve as leaders or co-leaders of a specific nursing area for a specific group of residents in CLC. The LPN will provide independent care to residents in CLC that need skilled nursing and rehabilitation services to include complex wound care and wound vac therapy, IV antibiotics (Central and PICC), enteral feedings (PEG) tubes and jejunostomy (J) tubes, parenteral nutrition. GS-7 LPN wound treatment nurse will demonstrate independence without the need for readily available supervision, using critical thinking skills and acting on complex residents or difficult practices and procedures. The LPN wound treatment nurse will serve as leader and resource for the neighborhood. Major Duties Performs nursing care duties in accordance with policies, procedures, practice guidelines and age-appropriate theories. Maintains resident's skin integrity by following established procedures. Recognizes and reports care and change in condition issues of assigned residents. Notify skin team of new or worsening skin conditions. Removal and application of simple to complex dressings on all types of wounds. Wound irrigations. Document wound assessment, including measurements weekly and with any major change. Audit wound care documentation and educate staff on proper skin and wound documentation. Update pressure injury data in SharePoint. Tracheostomy care including suctioning and cleaning, inner cannula changes and cuff deflation. Complete ostomy care. Monitor weights, hydration, and nutrition status. Bowel/bladder programs and training. Application and/or removal of braces, splints, and slings. Bladder catheterizations/irrigations. Oxygen therapy to residents using cannula, mask, or tracheostomy. Screening and data collection to perform and complete admissions. Artificial feeding, J-Tube care, respiratory treatments, C-PAP and BI-PAP therapy, indwelling and in/out catheter placement, phlebotomy, and suctioning. Provide observation and documentation for post-operative procedures, and unstable residents. Postmortem care. Participates in care planning, contributes to the interdisciplinary plan of care, implements and evaluates plan of care. Works closely with the interdisciplinary team members in the integration of the total resident care plan. Reinforces plan of care with resident and family/caregiver to promote understanding of the goals and expected outcomes of the care plan. Performs basic personal care for resident utilizing standardized procedures and promotes independence in ADL activities. Encourages residents to meet, as independently as possible, their own physical and psychosocial needs and take pride in personal appearance and their living area. Communicates with residents and families and provides emotional support. This includes participation in health teaching for residents and family/caregiver. Initiates activities that encourage the resident to engage in interaction by establishing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship such as one-to-one therapy, reality orientation, re- motivation and re-socialization groups as defined in the resident's plan of care. Administers and documents medication, utilizing BCMA, according to Medication and IV Fluid Administration, Bar Code Medication Administration, and Medication Administration policies and procedures. All other duties as assigned, pertaining to this occupation, to meet the needs of the Agency, Department, Facility, and/or Service. Work Schedule: Various tours of duty available. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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 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. Physical Requirements. Please see physical requirements in additional information section. English Language Proficiency. Proficient in both spoken and written English. 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). Preferred Experience: Prior wound care education and training Basic Life Support (BLS) Grade Determinations: GS-7. The GS-7 level isfor 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. NOTE: Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit. Although these positions are under the supervision of an RN and/or MD/DO, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision), as well as a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of patients. a) Completion of at least 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*. Completion of Wound Treatment Associate (WTA) program within the first year of assuming the position. *See assessment questionnaire for examples of duties at the GS-6 level. b) 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; c) 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; d) 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; e) 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; f) 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; g) 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; h) 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; i) 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; j) 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; k) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G13 dated: 4/10/2003.

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 Martinsburg VA Medical Center 510 Butler Avenue Martinsburg, WV 25405 US
• Name: Jennifer Darling
• Phone: 423-741-7328
• Email: [email protected]