Licensed Practical Nurse Podiatry Nail Care

The LPN GS 0620 is a position in the Podiatry Section at the Wilmington VA Health System (WVAMC) organizationally aligned under Surgery Services Line. The LPN GS-7 in the Podiatry clinic consistently demonstrates technical judgment semi-independently with global supervision by the Chief of Podiatry Wilmington VA Health System. The GS-7 LPN/Nail Care Technician possesses the knowledge and skills to complete complex nail and foot care patient triage and provider support in a thorough and comprehensive manner. This responsibility includes delivery of patient care congruent with objectives and policies of podiatric nail care; knowledge of and consistent demonstrated competence in principles of basic and intermediary nursing practice; and adherence to policies protocols and rules/regulations of the Wilmington VA Health System.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Triages patients at the beginning of each Podiatrist clinic. Triage consists of monitoring Blood Pressure Temperature Pulse BMI Respiration etc.
• Assist the Podiatrist in delivery of quality care and treatment of each Veteran patient.
• Assist the Podiatrist with performance of Special Procedures.
• Retrieves instruments and supplies from the Clean Supply Room to be placed in treatment rooms according to Provider needs.
• Responds to and returns messages for all patient inquiries to the Podiatry Department.
• Operates Nail Clinic semi-independently each week. (Each LPN/Nail Technician must proficiently complete a VA Nail Care Technician Certification Course).
• Regularly monitors inventory and communicates supply needs to Chief of Podiatry.
• Ensures that podiatry treatment rooms hygiene protocol are enforced.
• Provides Wellness Check calls to patients in between visits.
• Provides education to patients about proper foot care and reviews Provider instructions with each patient.
• Accurately enters Nail Care Treatment Note in Electronic Health Record.
• Proactively assists Podiatrist in addressing patients needs for medications and treatments.
• Performs 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.
• Recognizes potential urgent/ emergent patient care situations and takes appropriate actions and effectively communicates their observations with the Provider and/or Chief of Podiatry.
• Notifies Podiatrist (to whom they are assigned) and the Chief of Podiatry of any significant changes in skin and/or wounds that may require a higher level of care.
• Recognizes subtle physical changes in patients as evident by changes in skin integrity nail new onset or changes in neuropathic or vascular conditions.
• Debrides and shapes the toenails using mycotic nippers and/or nail sander.
• Performs post-operative dressing changes/ cast changes/ DME changes for patient in certain circumstances semi-independently.
• Works with pedorthotist in fitting of durable medical devices (diabetic shoes orthotics CAM walkers Ankle Braces etc.).

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am to 4pm.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience.
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 $144000 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.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• 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.
• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

• 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 Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant.
• Exceptions. 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 VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in 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. OR Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school.
• 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.
• 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: 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.

• 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 patients 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.
• 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 patients condition and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patients response to care that could require immediate modification of the patients care plan.
• Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patients 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.
• Proactively assist the RN or MD/OD in addressing patients needs for medication/treatments accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments and appropriately recording patients response 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 patients 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.
• 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.
• 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. 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/ 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 to a considerable extent 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.
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice.

Preferred Experience: 2-3 years of LPN experience.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS 7.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.