The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a member of the Surgical Specialty Clinics and an extension of the Podiatry Nursing team at the Charlotte HCC, works with Registered Nurse and or physician with minimal supervision and is accountable to the Clinic Nurse Manager. An LPN in this position will be expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art, and science of practical nursing. 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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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 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 OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN. Licensure - Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia. Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-07: The GS-07 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. Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-06 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-06 LPN/LVN. The following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) must be met: Knowledge and skills necessary to care out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery making astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes (both physical and emotional) in patient's conditions and taking the appropriate action. Ability to 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. Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations. 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. Skill, creativity, and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels. 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. Ability to support the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Preferred Experience and Certifications Basic Life Support (BLS) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. NOTE: Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who were converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986 are considered to have met the Education requirement. The waiver does not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions. Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others. Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing or speech may be required. However, in most cases, a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid. ["The LPN functions independently in the clinic setting, manages a nursing podiatry clinic and is responsible for patient flow under the more general supervision of the Podiatrist. He/she provides safe, timely and individualized nursing care to patients in the Ambulatory Care setting. Other duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to the following: Recommends footwear to protect feet from problems. Making sure that the low-level diabetic patient has two serviceable pairs of shoes for the year. This involves making sure they are ordered by the Podiatrist. Also evaluating the shoes on each visit and recommending that they return to the vendor if their feet show any signs of redness over the boney prominences of the feet. Incorporates information from foot screenings to determine if care needs are specific to foot care. This may involve ankle brachial indexes (ABI) or vascular studies are ordered by the Podiatrist. Uses special pressure-relieving devices to protect patient's foot from harm and to pad foot from reddened areas. This may involve crest pads, toe spacers and digital tubes to protect the toes and feet. Performs wound cleansing, dressing changes, and educates patients of proper use of creams, wound cleansers or antiseptics. Debrides the toenails by cutting along the natural line of the nail, using mycotic nippers as needed. Independently evaluates patients with prior low-level foot wounds for proper healing. Changes dressings as appropriate per VA protocol and notifies the PCP or Podiatrist if problems arise. Determines the frequency of Podiatry nail care needed by the patient and appointments are scheduled accordingly. This can be either for routine care or if other changes have occurred that would need to be addressed by the Podiatrist. These patients are seen on a regular basis every 3-6 months. Frequency of visit is determined by the growth of their nails. LPN recognizes potential urgent/emergent patient care situations and takes appropriate action to quickly obtain a higher level of care for the patient (i.e., patients with new diabetic or neuropathic wounds, infected ingrown toenails, vascular changes, etc.). Skin changes would include a new rash or tinea pedis. Neuropathic changes would include a change in the monofilament testing. Vascular would be a change in the pulses or color of the skin. Performs other related duties as listed in functional statement. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized"]

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