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Summary The LVN provides care to patients with the goal of promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process which includes performing services requiring technical, manual, and basic assessment (data collection)skills. Participates in evaluating, planning, and executing interventions in accordance with the concept of good nursing care and per the patient's treatment plan. At Oceanside with potential to float to other CBOCs and La Jolla Main Hospital Responsibilities The LVN's duties include but are not limited to; The LVN also contributes to a safe, accessible, efficient, and effective patient centered environment of care through active participation in privacy, customer service, as well as infection control, emergency preparation and preparedness plans. Fosters/supports a learning environment by participation in the orientation of new employees, providing feedback as appropriate and seeking opportunities for self-improvement. The LVN's primary commitment is to the patient (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses). The LVN is a position within Nursing Services at VA San Diego Healthcare System to include six Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). Under the supervision of a licensed Registered Nurse (RN), the LVN functions as a member of the multidisciplinary team assisting with the delivery of care to patients. The LVN is accountable for the quality of nursing care he or she provides to patients and utilizing the nursing process, assumes responsibility for planning, implementing, directing, and evaluating nursing care for assigned patients. The scope of functions and the variety of tasks depend on the area of assignment. The LVN performs services requiring technical and manual skills and obtains basic patient data, i.e., vital signs, weight, medications taken, I&O, assist in managing wounds, bowel, and bladder care management etc., participates in planning, executes interventions in accordance with the care plan or treatment plan, and contributes to evaluation of individualized interventions related to the care plan or treatment plan. Fosters/supports a learning environment by participation in the orientation of new employees, providing feedback as appropriate and seeking opportunities for self-improvement. Also: 1. The LVN is responsible for coordination of Surgical Specialty Clinics supporting services and clinics throughout the VA San Diego Healthcare System. Surgical Specialty clinics operate Monday through Friday, with variable hours to support Veteran care needs. 2. Provides direct patient care to Surgical Specialty patients in accordance with hospital policies and practice standards and guidelines. 3. Gathers additional data (face to face, via phone, or video conferencing) related to patient needs for treatment determination of Surgical Specialty Clinic's needs. 4. Participates in Surgical Specialty performance measure activities such as, but not limited to, hand hygiene, universal protocol, and access to clinics. 5. Assists RN with coordinating care of patients, including patient consults. 6. Obtains Nail Certification within 12 months of hire. 7. Orders/stock supplies and stocks/processes clinic procedure instruments. 8. 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 under the supervision of the Podiatrist. 9. Performs clinical data collection and provides various forms of non- invasive treatments through delivery of direct patient care for nail fungi, nail trimming, toenail debridement, callus and corn removal, slant backs for ingrown toenails, application of topical medications, foot soaks, and basic podiatry care within scope of work and under the direct supervision of the attending Podiatrist. 10. Prepares patients for podiatric work-up, x-rays, laboratory or other requests as required. Incorporates information from foot screenings to determine if care needs are specific to foot care. 11. Performs foot exams, wound cleansing, dressing changes, and educates patients of proper use of complex wound dressing such as calcium alginate and other gels, creams, wound cleansers, or antiseptics. Performs a variety of special foot care examinations and procedures. Applies wraps/dressings for ulcers and podiatric wound care, performs sports medicine taping for soft tissue injuries, applies foot padding for hammertoes, corns, calluses, diabetic ulcers, bunions, post-operative. 12. Proactively assists Podiatrist in addressing patients' needs for medications and treatments. Applies wraps/dressings for ulcers and podiatric wound care,performs sports medicine taping for soft tissue injuries, applies foot padding for hammertoes, corns, calluses, diabetic ulcers, bunions, post-operative. Assists Podiatrist in wound care and skin grafts clinics. 13. Assures patients have pre-appointment requirements completed prior to Surgical Specialty procedure. 14. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills related to the field of practice and advanced LVN practice. Attends classes and conferences regarding practice Work Schedule: Full-Time 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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. You may be required to serve a trial period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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. 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. 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) 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. 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. Preferred Experience: 1-2 current years in ambulatory care. Prefer Specialty Clinics, Inpatient, ED, Long Term Care experience. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-03 None beyond the basic requirements. LPNs at this grade level are expected to perform all duties within the scope of their license (e.g., medication administration); however, completed work may require routine or detailed higher level review depending upon the complexity of the duties involved. GS-04 (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or(b) Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) and one year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures; or (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-05 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the next lower level (GS-4). Additionally an LPN as this level will be able to demonstrate: knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems; demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice; knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures. Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO; knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO, and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest; recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action; completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review. GS-06 Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. LPN must be technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing car to variable patient populations; Possess knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions; to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments; Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs; Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures; Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations; Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds); Moderate carrying (up to 44 pounds); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking, kneeling and standing up to 1.5 hours; repeated bending; both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.