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 (LPN) GS-7 functions as a team lead nurse of the Podiatry Clinic. Care is provided to the Veterans in this clinic by a health care team consisting of podiatric providers, LPNs, and health technicians. Incumbent demonstrates knowledge, experience, skill, and self-motivation to carry out complex patient assignments, which include prioritization and coordination of clinical activities with minimal supervision. Position requires completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN. The LPN at the GS-7 level must exercise independent judgment and require minimal supervisory oversight. Supervisory oversight for the podiatric LPN is the podiatric provider. The incumbent is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment plans. He/she must also possess the ability to observe subtle physical and emotional changes in the patient, exercise sound nursing judgment, and demonstrate appropriate action based on those observations. The LPN must possess the knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent/emergent patient care situations, seek team assistance as appropriate, and effectively intervene to assure delivery of safe patient care. Major Duties: Works under the podiatry department, nursing department, and general supervision of the Podiatrist at the Martinsburg VAMC. Incumbent is delegated authority to provide patient care, support routine care, and support a variety of specialized procedures for the Podiatrist. The LPN at the GS-7 level receives guidance or direction from practitioners directly. Incumbent will be trained and competent under national podiatric standards by completing the Basic Foot Care Course in TMS, along with completion of the competency based clinical training for certification. This must be completed within a 1-month timeframe. Performs a variety of specialized clinical duties such as preliminary examination and evaluation of patients. Examines diabetic foot ulcers under the supervision of the podiatrist. Assists with wound care, obtains wound measurements to be documented and presented to podiatrist, application of wound creams and gels, advanced biologic wound dressings, Unna boots and or multilayer compressive dressings, application and removal of wound vacs, cleaning of wounds, packing and dressing of wounds as directed by podiatrist. Obtains, labels, and prepares aerobic cultures and pathology specimens as ordered. Performs a variety of standardized and routine procedures that are non-invasive. This includes debriding corns, calluses, and trimming nails. Performs toenail debridement of ingrown, elongated, or fungal toenails. Provides prophylactic instruction on nail and foot care. Assigned a daily clinic and performs routine foot care for patients per month under the direct supervision of the podiatry staff. Accompanies/assists patients with their shoes, in wheelchairs, walkers, gurneys, and crutches. Documents history, findings, and treatments in outpatient records for signature in the appropriate format. Enters consults as directed by podiatry staff as ordered. Assists Podiatrist in a variety of specialized treatments, clinical procedures, and tests. Receives and prepares patient for examination and treatment, prepares exam room for appropriate foot procedures, ensures necessary supplies, instruments and materials are present, establishes required instrument field and assists in procedure within scope of Podiatry clinic in Martinsburg. Sets up instrument trays, finalizes preparation of sterile field, skin prep and draping of patients. Assists with postop surgical patients, dressing changes, suture/staple removal, and cast removal. Assists in drawing up injectable medication from single use vials as instructed by the podiatrist. Ensures proper cleanup and disposal according to policy. Assists in training and orientation of Podiatric health techs and other personnel in clinic procedures, techniques, and tests. Answers patient inquiries of other personnel in clinic, liaison between patient and podiatrists. Assist with triaging of secure messages. Assist in time management and clinical flow. Coordinates communication/interaction between patient, provider, and other medical and nonmedical professionals. Coordinates with scheduling. Coordinates surgical implant requests with surgical and facility implant coordinators. Promotes collaboration with ancillary departments, equipment committees, infection control committees, and prosthetic department. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm 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 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 and Certifications Basic Life Support (BLS) Grade Determinations: GS-7. 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. 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*. *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: Melinda Howard
• Phone: 334-430-0792
• Email: [email protected]