The LPN is assigned to the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System . The LPN, Nail Technician GS-7 is under the supervision of the Nurse Manager at the Chattanooga Outpatient Clinic in Chattanooga, TN. yet demonstrates independent technical judgment without the need for readily available supervision. The LPN is technically proficient and self-directed in initiating, performing and completing complex practical nursing care to patients. 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 accredited by the Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Inc. (ACEN) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Licensure - Condition of employment. 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. An LPN who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probation status may be appointed only in accordance with regulations issued by the Under Secretary for Health or designee. Proficient in spoken and written English - as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). GRADE DETERMINATIONS:The GS-7 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 NOTE: Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit. Although these positions are under the supervision of an RN and/or MD/DO, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision), as well as a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of patients. (a) Completion of (minimum of 3 years of LPN experience) 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. (b) Knowledge and 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. (c) 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 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. (d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according 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. (e) 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. 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. (f) 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. (g) 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. 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: Primary Care/Nail Tech References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G-13 Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. ["VA Pay scale V02Z The LPN GS-7 must demonstrate an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for concentrated effort and self-direction in carrying out the most complex practical nursing care assignments. The LPN exhibits independent technical judgment, critical thinking skills, and the use of independent judgment to carry out complex patient-assigned duties, which include prioritization and coordination of patients seen in the clinic with minimal supervision. Performs direct patient care activities, as appropriate to assignment, (includes, but is not limited to): Proactively assists the Nurse Manager, or designee in addressing patient's need for medication/ treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received or monitoring the patient's adherence to the Self-Medication Policy and appropriately recording the patient's response to medications/treatments. Serve as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas. Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties in more complex outpatient care settings. When assigned, administer and record oral, topical, rectal, IV and injectable medications, including controlled substances, adhering to medication administration policies and procedures. Upon successful completion of podiatry competencies, accurately perform a broad-range of complex nursing treatments including podiatry post-op wound care and dressing changes. The LPN recognizes signs and symptoms of infection, both local and systematic and reports any concerns to the Podiatry staff for evaluation. Relate therapeutically with patients on a 1:1 basis according to their needs and the plan of care. Preliminary examination and evaluation of patients Coordinating laboratory or other requests Planing down of corns and calluses Nail-trimming and blister care Requesting, obtaining and preparing aerobic cultures and pathology specimens Providing prophylactic instruction on nail and blister care Developing a variety of accommodative devices to correct or alleviate injury or pathologic foot conditions Performing prep for a variety of ankle/foot tapings/ casting for the treatment of injury Documenting history, findings and treatments in the electronic medical record in the appropriate format. Performs various routine and general clinic administrative functions Coordinates communication between patient, provider, and other medical and non-medical professionals Performs triage duties during peak patient loads, as necessary. Participate in, and/or lead clinic-based committees Participate in planning program presentations for clinic in-service educationl. Exercise economic use of supplies and apply adequate safeguards to prevent misuse and loss. Utilize printed and electronic files containing sensitive information and is responsible for protecting that information from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration or unauthorized deletion Contribute to the evaluation of patient's response to treatment, medication and nursing interventions Report successful and/or effective approaches to patient care Assume responsibility in the area of patient education; reinforce patient health education; provide patients with health education materials; and direct patients to appropriate resources available in the medical center. Provide instructions to patients for planned procedures and explain the rationale for specific patient preparation Be responsible for knowing what reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices or supplies are used (inventory) in the Clinic. Be familiar with which items are reprocessed locally (on unit) and/or which items are sent to sterile processing and/or Sterile Processing Services (SPS) for reprocessing and/or sterilization. If items are to be transported for reprocessing, LPN must be aware of the initial decontamination steps that must be taken prior to transport of item and the appropriate method of transport. Be responsible for following the local Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) drafted in accordance with the manufacturer's written recommendations. SPS and Infection Prevention and Control should be consulted when clarification of written instructions is needed. No one should reprocess any reusable medical equipment based upon vendor's verbal instructions alone; this is not an adequate practice. Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday -Friday (days)\nTelework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]