This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit EDRP application within 4 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 Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC, currently has (1) vacancy for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Podiatry. The Podiatry Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a GS-7 who performs complex nursing skills within the surgical clinic setting. The incumbent possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and assists in specialized outpatient podiatry procedures. Duties and Responsibilities: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - Podiatry: The LPN is expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to apply a comprehensive working knowledge of aseptic principles, and podiatry standards of care within the scope of the LPN. The complexity of duties includes; collaboration with multiple providers, pharmacy, preop, surgery, social work, biomedical, and sterile processing to provide specialized care of patients in need of foot care. Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills as supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans. The LPN in this position possess specialize training demonstrated by completion of VA PAVE Foot Care Course. This position also assists with monitoring the healing of wounds on the foot and ankle and exhibits knowledge of wound care treatment modalities. The GS-7 LPN functions with more autonomous and independent sequencing of work events than the LPN GS-6; minimal supervision is required. 1. Demonstrated ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for nursing, medication, and equipment-assisted care, and to recognize deviations from normal. In modifying care plans, the LPN GS-7 considers physical, emotional and social factors. 2. Demonstrated ability to vary the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patient's condition, to use judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines, and to accurately report and record significant patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by the RN/ provider for appropriateness and conformity with established policies and procedures. 3. Checks patients into the clinic; interviews patient and/or significant other and documents intake data as per policy. Possesses comprehensive knowledge of hospital practices related to clinic management, documentation, and computer technology. 4. The GS-7 LPN works closely with Podiatrist to provide specialized podiatric treatments as delegated by the RN/DPM within his/her scope of practice. These services could include: (a) Answering the secure messages and calling patient for home health care (b) Keep procedure room areas clean and orderly, orders and stocks equipment and supplies (c) Train patient on post-surgery prosthesis device (d) Perform patient care procedures such as collection of specimens, applying dressings, adjusting simple supportive equipment (e) Preparing patients for all foot procedures including correction bunions, hammertoes w/internal fixation, removal of foreign bodies; fracture care w/fixation, wound care. (f) Provides procedural assistance, compression therapies, application of simple splints to Unna paste boots, staged and modified compression wraps, proficient in use of reminders: Weinstein testing, pedal pulse review. 5. Observes and reports changes and enhances management of ulcers and wounds 6. Wound care: packing/dressing as ordered by provider 7. Diabetic and pre/post-procedure patient education 8. Foot screenings (pedal pulses and sensations) 9. Trimming toenails and callus reduction. 10. Measuring/fitting and dispensing shelf/custom molded shoes, orthoses, cam walkers and or multi-purpose shoes 11. Offloading painful/problematic lesions/foot deformities with appropriate pads, devices and or shoe inserts. 12. Provides procedural assistance, compression therapies, application of simple splints to Unna paste boots, staged and modified compression wraps, proficient in use of reminders: Weinstein testing, pedal pulse review. 13. Assists with diagnostic procedures which include preparing the patient, setting up sterile field and instrumentation, and monitoring the patient's condition post podiatric procedure. 14. Participates in Quality Improvement projects/hospital committees to promote quality improvement e orts in the clinic setting. Observation, Reporting and Documentation: 1. Assists the RN and/or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) to prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Recognizes changes in patient's condition and deviation from normal; informs RN or DPM of assessment findings requiring higher-level intervention. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00 PM- Monday - Friday Telework schedules: Not authorized Virtual work schedules: This is not a virtual position Financial Disclosure Report: NOT required EDRP Authorized: Contact Mr Onnie Green , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Requirements

Qualifications

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 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 National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission], 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. [Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. Exceptions include:] 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. An LPN[/LVN] who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance withthe provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in [both] spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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: GS-7. The GS-7 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 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 APRIL 10, 2003 VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13 II-G13-5 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 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. (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. Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Handbook 5019, Part II, Paragraph 3, II-1, 1(a), A pre-placement physical examination to determine the physical, cognitive and emotional fitness of candidates for appointment in VA is required, and shall be completed prior to appointment, for all full-time individuals appointed under 38 U.S.C., Chapter 73, for Title 38 positions. Preferred Experience: Obtain and maintain current training in podiatry standards, both state and federal, by attending or participating in podiatry conferences or workshops offered either nationally or locally. National certification in wound care preferred but not required. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13; Dated, April 2003. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

Education

IMPOTANT: 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 Charles George VA Medical Center 1100 Tunnel Road Asheville, NC 28805 US
• Name: Elise Csajko
• Phone: 631-774-4216
• Email: [email protected]