Vocational Nurse; Wound Care

The Wound Care LVN/LPN at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System reports directly to the Wound Care Nurse Manager
- Nursing Ambulatory Care. The incumbent is in a complex assignment with minimal supervision and demonstrates the ability to coordinate competing demands and set priorities effectively - while supporting multiple providers to ensure effective operations of the wound care and telehealth clinic. The incumbent supports the Inpatient Nursing Service and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics.

• 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 and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing (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
• Licensure:
  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
• 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)
• 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: GS-7:
  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
• 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 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
• 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 the patient's condition - and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and the patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan
• Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing the RN or MD/DO of changes in the 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…