Licensed Practical Nurse - Specialty Clinic

Summary

Purpose of the LPN is to perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, positive customer service and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. In this position the LPN is primarily assigned to provide foot and nail care; may also assist in podiatry and general surgery care. Has potential to cross-train to other departments to help better fulfill the mission of caring for our Veterans, and to be able to fill in for other departments.

Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties vary by grade, but at the GS-6, functions are: Communications Effectively expresses information to multiple audiences through clear, convincing oral and written communication. Communication is done courteously and takes into consideration various levels of understanding. Actively listens to others and demonstrates understanding of their comments and/or questions. Demonstrates logical thinking when describing facts and concepts, and shapes communications to meet the needs of our Veterans and their families. Organizational Awareness Knows and carries out the organizations mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively. Understands VA programs and educate peers, caretakers, Veterans and their families. Completes reminders and required education with reminders and durable medical equipment. Follow VA policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization. Customer Service Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of human behavior and patient motivation. Establishes rapport with individual patients and families to elicit feelings and attitudes toward their health and well-being. Promotes patient trust by accurately documenting messages and routing them appropriately. Recognizes the importance of teamwork and cooperation and voluntarily helps other teams during staffing short-falls. Assists with other assignments and tasks to take care of the Veterans. Attends monthly meetings as an active participant. Reads meeting notes in times of absences. Interpersonal Skills Able to adapt to frequent changes within his/her environment, education, system change. Strives to work towards change by learning and asking questions. Able to accept constructive criticism and utilize it as a learning opportunity. Be dependable and accomplish work and tasks in a timely manner. Be able to work together as a team with other peers. Possess a positive attitude when working with peers, staff, Veterans, and Veteran's families. Patient Care Demonstrates knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on patient's condition. With minimal supervision, plans and carries out assignments following VHA directives and local Numbered Memoranda. Provides appropriate patient and family education regarding disease condition, procedures, tests, and health maintenance. Observes and appropriately responds to subtle changes in patient's behavior by providing emotional/physical support/intervention to prevent a problem. Uses the 6 Rights of Medication Administration, including the use of two patient identifiers. Participates in Medication Reconciliation by reviewing with patient/care giver medication list, annotate changes on the list for PCP's review, enter non-VA meds in CPRS. Provides ambulatory nursing care to patients with acute and chronic healthcare needs, including responding to triages as appropriate. Responds to medical emergencies such as "medical urgencies" and nursing alerts as appropriate. Education and Training Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in Primary Care through continuing education courses, annual mandatory training, and in-service programs. Serves as preceptor or mentor for newly assigned health technicians, LPNs, and interns. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: May be available 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 available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Qualifications

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2026 or until the position is filled. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: 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. 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. Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C. 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 with the 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). Grade Determinations: GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their li