Summary

The Licensed Practical Nurse - Podiatry Nail Technician is responsible and accountable for specialized nursing care in podiatry. They possess the knowledge and skills required for advanced podiatry care and utilize Veteran care data to actively contribute to each Veteran's overall health plan.

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
• *Education exceptions listed in qualification standard
• 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 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)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for grade 07
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS-7 - This 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 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 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
• *Required: a current - valid - unrestricted Drivers License
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties may include but are not limited to: Perform complex practical nursing assignments within the podiatry practice
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of podiatry nursing procedures and protocols
• Deliver specialized patient care activities related to podiatry
• Exercise independent technical judgment during patient care
• Serve as a resource for podiatry-related practical nursing
• Promote goals and interventions that support Veterans' maximum functional potential
• Maintain responsibility for individual nursing practice as a podiatry nail technician
• Utilize Veteran care data to inform and contribute to health planning
• Apply comprehensive practical nursing principles - art - and science to care delivery
• Ensure compliance with program regulations and objectives
• Integrate nursing concepts within the Medical Center and Community-Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCs)
• Collaborate effectively with Registered Nurses (RNs) and healthcare providers
• Work independently without immediate supervision
• Communicate professionally with Veterans - families - caregivers - and staff
• Perform podiatry clinic procedures as assigned - including nail care
• Execute nail care procedures for elongated or fungal toenails
• Conduct routine and detailed nail care - with or without cautery
• Perform debridement of ingrown toenails
• Maintain proper stock levels of instruments in the podiatry clinic
• Care for instruments used in podiatry procedures
• Ensure proper clean-up and disposal after contaminated procedures
• Complete documentation of all care and procedures performed
• Provide age-appropriate care based on patients' developmental and cognitive needs
• Assess and interpret data reflective of patients' physical and emotional status
• Adapt care to meet lifestyle - age - and developmental needs of Veterans served
• Provide education to patients and families regarding podiatry and foot care
• Support patient self-care and independence as much as possible
• Ensure and promote patient safety during all podiatry procedures
• Handle patient and family concerns with tact and professionalism
• Model courteous - respectful - and constructive communication at all times
• Participate in quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives
• Maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive clinical and personal patient data
• Adhere to all Privacy Act - VHA - and VA policies regarding data security
• Safeguard both printed and electronic sensitive information
• Participate in required training for privacy - security - and clinical topics
• Provide input to improve policies and procedures as needed
• Remain accountable to the Surgery Clinic Nurse Manager
• Practice within the scope outlined by VA and professional nursing standards
• Appropriately escalate complex clinical issues to supervisory staff
• Promote a positive and safe clinical environment
• Work Schedule: 7:00am - 5:30pm - Tour of duty to be determined by supervisor Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 581-26777-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized