Clarification from the agency

Area of Consideration - Facility 541 Employees Only - Current, permanent VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System employees (including Outpatient Clinics)

Total Rewards - LPN

Duties:

• Provides nursing care for adults with population specific needs by incorporating pertinent physical, psychosocial and cultural needs into the patient plan of care.
• Possesses the knowledge and skill necessary to perform a variety of specialized clinic procedures such as preliminary examination and evaluation of podiatric patients, callus/ingrown debridement, elongated or fungal toenail with or without cautery under supervision of the Podiatrist.
• Prepares patients for podiatric work-up, x-rays, laboratory or other requests are required.
• Performs foot exams (PACT), cuts nails, dressing changes, and unna boots in addition, will properly fit compression hose, diabetic shoes and foot prosthetics.
• Trained to measure properly for wheelchairs, walkers, and rollators.
• Assists Podiatrist in wound care and skin grafts clinics.
• Orders/stock supplies and stocks/processes clinic procedure instruments.
• Accurately prepares and administers medications; properly performs treatments and procedures.
• Collaborates with the Podiatrist, RN Care Manager and other healthcare providers to establish priorities for patient care.
• Functions independently with minimal supervision depending upon grade and skill.
• Demonstrates the ability to vary the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patients' condition.
• Recognizes signs and symptoms of medical and behavioral emergencies and responds appropriately.
• Responds promptly to patient requests for assistance.
• Knowledgeable of accrediting bodies and National Patient Safety Goals.
• Knowledgeable life safety, fire, and occupational regulations, responds to environmental, medical and psychiatric emergencies appropriately.
• Knowledgeable of infection control practices.
• Knowledgeable of safe body mechanics, wears personal protective equipment (PPE}, proficient in safe patient movement uses mechanical lifts appropriately with correct harness and requests assistance with patient care when needed.
• Competent in using equipment and technical procedures in the assigned area such as: podiatry instruments, equipment and supplies.
• Applies skills, such as motivational interviewing to promote patient self- management toward patient driven holistic care plan for life.
• Promotes health, wellness and risk education strategies.
• Maintains privacy and confidentiality of all patient information, including electronic, print, and conversations.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills in varying medias to include telephone, secure messaging, CPRS, instant messaging, and written.
• Maintains professional appearance per nursing dress code and presents with professional disposition while providing care and interaction with patient and families.
• Participates in unit-based activities such as Unit Based Councils, staff in services and meetings to promotion communication, education, and knowledge among staff.
• Maintains positive interpersonal relationship skills in an interdisciplinary setting.
• Maintains sound documentation, history/physical screening, and therapeutic skills.
• Ability to work in a busy clinical setting and ability to prioritize responsibilities.
• Maintain flexibility as a team member.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not eligible
Virtual/Remote: This is not a virtual/remote position.
Functional Statement #: 94355-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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 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.

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.
• Physical Requirements: Applicants must possess the ability to do the following: heavy lifting and carrying, 45 pounds and over; pulling, pushing and reaching above the shoulder; walking, standing, kneeling and repeated bending.
• 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).
• Education. Must be a graduate of school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing. (Education will be waived for current 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. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions.)
• Licensure. Must possess a 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.

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:

GS-7. 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.

Knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position:

1. Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings.
2. 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.
3. Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery.
4. Ability to make astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered
5. Ability to appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention.
6. Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments and appropriately recording
7. Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions,
8. Demonstrates the ability to assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes.
9. Demonstrates skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction
10. Demonstrates comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practice

Preferred Experience:

• Primary Care or Acute Care experience
• 5-8 years of experience as an LPN

References: VA Qualification Standards in VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• License
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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