Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. The LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center is seeking a Full-Time Licensed Practical Nurse assigned to the Dermatology Clinic at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System within Ambulatory Care service. The tour for this position is: Monday-Friday - day shift.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• 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
• Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school
• See paragraph 4 - section C
• 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)
• Licensure
• Full - active - current - 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: For the 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 listed below : GS-6: Skills 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 carrying out assigned nursing interventions
• Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills as supervision is more general and employees are to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans
• 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/emotional - in patient's condition - and accurately/thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan
• Appropriately seeks assistance/guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention
• Participates to a greater degree in prioritizing - and - as appropriate - modifying patient care treatment
• Possesses the ability to observe more subtle physical/emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations
• Proactively assists 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
• (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
• Demonstrates broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels
• 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 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 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
• 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 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
• Seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice
• 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)
• Preferred Experience: Dermatology/MOHS 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 in the range of GS 7
• See physical requirements in Additional Information section.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional LPN Dermatology Sub-Specialty Clinic Duties Include - but are not limited to: Initiates - performs - and completes more complex assigned duties in providing care
• Appropriately carries out assigned patient care based on the patents' conditions
• to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments
• performs procedures and treatments in accordance with MD/DO advice
• accurately recognize - report and - record relevant patient information pertaining to procedure or treatment plan
• Work is completed independently - with a general review by a registered nurse or physician for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures - as necessary
• Observes - identifies and responds using holistic medicine techniques - to address patient's needs for care - including medication - equipment-assisted care - and operative procedures (patient/family education)
• Recognizes and considers emotional - cultural - spiritual - socio-economic - and age-related factors to positively impact the patient's care plan
• Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs more comprehensive - complex treatments - including assisting with surgical/invasive procedures - according to established policies/procedures
• Observes - responds to - and reports any physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medication/treatments - deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO
• Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent and emergent patient care situation - acts independently to decrease likelihood of harm - and initiates and participates in appropriate emergency interventions as directed
• Expert knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations/reactions to situations - and ability utilize this knowledge in working with patients - family - and staff
• Establishes constructive relationships patients and their families and promotes positive relationships - communication - and socialization skills
• Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all care delivery
• Exhibits leadership in incorporating knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and other stakeholders
• Performs support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or surgical/invasive procedures - which include preparing the patients - assisting in the comprehensive diagnostic examination - preparing and handling specialized instruments/equipment - and monitoring the patient's condition before - during and after the procedure
• Serves as a preceptor/mentor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/Nursing Assistants (NAs)/or Health Technicians (HTs) related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures - and initiates activities to foster competent support staff
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities and completes mandated training - and shares with staff
• Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with VHA policy
• Practices good customer service in all work activities
• Deploys the use of specialized equipment - technology - and/or knowledge in procedures performed in the Dermatology Clinic
• Work Schedule: Day Shift - Monday-Friday - 8 hour days
• Tour hours to be determined by supervisor
• Compressed/Flexible: Not 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) 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 #: 92235-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized