The LPN's primary purpose is to perform assigned duties that promotes quality health care. Using multidisciplinary approach, collaborates with dermatology staff and other disciplines/services to complete duties to provide care to a complex patient population.

Duties

The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) GS-7 is to perform all the duties in an independent and clinically responsible manner that promotes quality health care, positive customer service, and supports all efforts to maintain an environment committed to serving the Veteran. The LPN GS-7 performs the functions of the LPN GS-6, and in addition, carries out more specialized patient care duties and is involved, to a greater degree, in developing, treating, and modifying direct patient care plans, and in addition, carries out more specialized patient care duties using independent technical judgement independently or under minimal supervision. The incumbent is responsible for RME and other equipment (stainless steel surgical instruments) specific to their clinic assignment, and for cleaning non-reusable medical equipment between patients per standard operating procedures. Duties include, but are not limited to: Check in and room patients Performs independent nursing skills including taking vital signs and documenting patient care received Demonstrates nursing skills and procedures in assisting non-procedural dermatology treatment modalities including but not limited to taking clinical photographs, assisting in skin biopsies, small nerve biopsy, chemexfoliation, regular and extended patch testing, phototherapy and any future treatment modalities that will be offered to Veterans Demonstrates skills sufficient to resolve a range of nursing problems in the dermatology health care setting Accesses resources required to complete the plan of care i.e. checking supplies/equipment Provides discharge patient education based on assessed patient educational needs. Assist with simple or complex procedures including but not limited to wide local excisions and Mohs micrographic surgery with or without reconstruction and wound care Perform independent nursing duties and responsibilities including but not limited to application of Unna boot; Patch testing; suture removal; wound check and wound dressing changes Clean and stock examination rooms Administers and documents medication administration Safely and effectively uses equipment required for patient care to include procedures for cleaning, transporting, and storing reusable medical equipment, appropriate use of safe patient handling equipment, and adheres to infection control practices while using equipment Uses appropriate chain of command to promptly reports accidents, injuries, disease or illness Promptly recognize emergency situations in an outpatient setting and act effectively and efficiently Adhere to safety and infection control protocols and practices required for specimen management Adhere to patient privacy directives -HIPAA, policies, protocols and practices related to use of electronic devices including but not limited to cameras used for clinical photography Adheres to the patient safety directives, policies, protocols and practices including but not limited to patient identification, medication safety, universal protocol and fire risk assessments Documents nursing care using documentation templates Demonstrates supportive, compassionate, and respectful communication and promotes client rights Demonstrates high level of customer experience Work Schedule: M-F 0730-1600. Be advised, tours will vary based on the needs of the Facility. Possible Saturdays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:70832F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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: 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 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. 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 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 (minimum of 3 years of LPN experience) 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 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. 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, kneeling, 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, and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Preferred Experience: 1 year dermatology and/or surgery/procedure experience.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address James A Haley Veterans Hospital 13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Tampa, FL 33612 US
• Name: Freddie Viera-Calderon
• Phone: (787) 641-7582 X133908
• Email: [email protected]