Licensed Practical Nurse - Podiatry

The Licensed Practical Nurse/Nail Technician, a member of the Podiatry Team, will work with Staff Podiatrists to assist in the provision of Podiatric Services to our Veterans. The licensed practical nurse provides direct outpatient patient nail and foot care; patient triage; and provider/podiatry section support. This position is located primarily at the Dover, DE CBOC, but may need occasional travel to either Wilmington and Georgetown for clinical coverage. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) consistently demonstrates technical judgment semi-independently with global supervision by the Chief of Podiatry, Wilmington VA Health System. The GS-7 LPN/Nail Care Technician possesses the knowledge and skills to complete complex nail and foot care, patient triage, and provider support in a thorough and comprehensive manner. This responsibility includes delivery of patient care congruent with objectives and policies of podiatric nail care; knowledge of, and consistent demonstrated competence in principles of basic and intermediary nursing practice; and adherence to policies, protocols, and rules/regulations of the Wilmington VA Health System. Duties include, but are not limited to: Triages patients at the beginning of each Podiatrist clinic. Triage consists of monitoring Blood Pressure, Temperature, Pulse, BMI, Respiration, etc. Assist the Podiatrist in delivery of quality care and treatment of each Veteran patient. Assist the Podiatrist with performance of Special Procedures. Retrieves instruments and supplies from the Clean Supply Room to be placed in treatment rooms according to Provider needs. Responds to and returns messages for all patient inquiries to the Podiatry Department. Operates Nail Clinic semi-independently each week. (Each LPN/Nail Technician must proficiently complete a VA Nail Care Technician Certification Course). Regularly monitors inventory and communicates supply needs to Chief of Podiatry. Ensures that podiatry treatment rooms hygiene protocol are enforced. Provides Wellness Check calls to patients in between visits. Provides education to patients about proper foot care and reviews Provider instructions with each patient. Accurately enters Nail Care Treatment Note in Electronic Health Record. Proactively assists Podiatrist in addressing patient's needs for medications and treatments. Performs wound cleansing, dressing changes, and educates patients of proper use of complex wound dressing such as calcium alginate and other gels, creams, wound cleansers or antiseptics. Recognizes potential urgent/ emergent patient care situations and takes appropriate actions, and effectively communicates their observations with the Provider and/or Chief of Podiatry. Notifies Podiatrist (to whom they are assigned) and the Chief of Podiatry of any significant changes in skin and/or wounds that may require a higher level of care. Recognizes subtle physical changes in patients as evident by changes in skin integrity, nail new onset or changes in neuropathic or vascular conditions. Debrides and shapes the toenails using mycotic nippers and/or nail sander. Performs post-operative dressing changes/ cast changes/ DME changes for patient in certain circumstances semi-independently. Works with pedorthotist in fitting of durable medical devices (diabetic shoes, orthotics, CAM walkers, Ankle Braces, etc.). Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8am • 4:30pm, Monday • Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 460-07168F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized 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. Exceptions. Health care education in the military service or training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment OR, VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions. OR, Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. 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 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 Licensed Practical Nurse 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. 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. 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. Proactively assist the RN or MD/OD in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments and appropriately recording 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. 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. Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting health lifestyles for more positive 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. Preferred Experience: Two to three years of experience is preferred, but not required. The selected candidate will obtain VHA certification as a "nail technician / nurse" after onboarding. The process will include oversight and verification by Podiatrists of satisfactory foot / nail care provided to patients, and completion of required online training. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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: See VA HANDBOOK 5019. You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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/.