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• ENT - Assist surgeon, monitors patients for patients undergoing specialized treatments. Orders supplies & maintains cleanliness/stocking of provider rooms at the end of day, including sterile instrumentation. Competency verified to handle & pre-clean endoscopes. Enters requests into CPRS & coordinates pre-operative evaluations. Serves as member of the team, providing care on a regular & recurring basis. Utilizes knowledge & makes observations of patient symptom/status. Admin. medications & collects specimens PRN & within scope of practice.
• VASCULAR/WOUND CARE/PLASTICS - Works under guidance of RN care Mgr. & reports to the Nurse Mgr., Specialty Clinics VAMC. Assists w/ clinic laser procedures, takes vital signs, performs Ankle brachial Index exams, Sensilace, leg wraps, measure for compression stockings, wound care, toe nail clip, bone biopsy, wound vacs on & off schedules appointments, routinely orders supplies & maintains cleanliness/stocking of provider rooms. Maintains Excel Spreadsheets for data collection and how to set up a sterile field. Serves as a member of the team, providing care on a regular & recurring basis. Utilizes knowledge & makes observations of team, providing care on a regular & recurring basis. Utilizes knowledge & makes observations of patient symptoms/status, including ability to identify emergent needs. Makes referrals. Admin. medications & collects the specimens PRN within scope of practice.
• UROLOGY - Works under Urologist assigned, but is responsible to the Nurse Mgr., Specialty VAMC. Sets up & assists with clinic procedures such as Cystoscopies, Circumcisions & Vasectomies, prostate/bladder biopsies, & Urodynamic Procedures. Knowledge of Ultrasound for Bladder scans. Performs Nsg procedures such as Catheter changes, BCG installation, SQ/IM injections, voiding trial, & staple removal. Stocking rooms & ordering supplies, including sterile instrumentation. Assists the Urology surgeons & monitors patients for procedures, such as specialized treatments. Verified to handle & pre-clean Cystoscopes & probes in prep for sterilization. Uses knowledge & observations of pt symptom/status, including identification of emergent needs. Admin. medications & collects specimens. Is familiar with & performs & meets Clinical Practice Guideline & Prevention Index standards within his/her scope of practice.
• PODIATRY - Works under Podiatrist assigned, but is responsible to the Nurse Mgr., Specialty VAMC. Sets up & assists with clinic procedures such as toe nail clipping, wound debridement, wound care, wound graphs, bone biopsy, measurement for compression stockings, staple removal & any other procedures that may be deemed necessary by the Provider with their scope of practice. Stocking rooms at the end of each clinic day, including sterile instrumentation & ordering supplies. Admin. medications & collects specimens PRN & within their scope of practice.
• ALLERGY - Works under directions of the Allergist assigned, but is responsible to the Nurse Mgr., Specialty VAMC. Performs duties such as taking vital signs, giving Subcutaneous Injections, Skin Testing, PFT Testing, IM Injections, & Educating the patient on topics related to allergy. Utilizing knowledge & making observations of patient symptoms/status, including ability to identify emergent needs.
• ORTHOPEDICS: Works under Orthopedic Provider assigned, but is responsible to the Nurse Mgr., Specialty Clinic. Performs duties such as taking vital signs, set up for procedures, (sterile & non-sterile), remove sutures or staples, remove & apply dressings. Stocking rooms at the end of Clinic day & ordering supplies.
• GENERAL SURGERY: Works under direction of the General Surgeon, but is responsible to the Nurse Mgr., Specialty Clinic. Performs duties including taking vitals, setting up for sterile procedures, collecting specimens obtained, & assisting provider in procedures, getting medications & extra supplies for Provider from Omnicell. Stocking room at the end of Clinic day & ordering supplies.
• EYE: Works under Ophthalmologist assigned, but is responsible to the Nurse Mgr., of the Specialty. Performs duties including vitals, rooming patients, Pre-OP & Post-OP Teaching, Vision Checks, Inter Ocular Pressure Check, set up for sterile procedures & assist the Provider. Communication with Providers regarding patient care.
• CARDIOLOGY CLINIC/ZIO PATCH (FF/MTZ): Works under Cardiologist, but is responsible to the Nurse Mgr., of the Specialty. Performs various duties including taking vitals, ekgs, setting up & placing patients in halter monitors.
• MEDICINE CLINIC: Provides direct care to patients for the Medicine Clinics. Works under the directions of the Providers, but is responsible to the Nurse Mgr., of the Specialty. Performs duties including vitals, weights, injections, setting up for procedures, & scheduling appts.

Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday-Friday, 8 Hour Shifts
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/10/2020.
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.
• A current, unrestricted LVN licensure from any state or territory of the U.S.
• Demonstrated abilities in establishment of priorities and time management
• Cross training to provide staffing assistance in another surgical specialty clinic
• Excellent interpersonal skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a diverse team environment, fast paced, interdisciplinary environment
• Flexibility and the ability to change priorities are required
• 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).

Preferred Experience:

• Current proficiency in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (Required prior to assuming clinical duties and must remain current -VHA Directive 11-77)
• Minimum of 2 years of recent clinical experience within the last 5 years
• Clinical experience in outpatient Surgical Specialty Clinical settings
• Able to assist a surgeon with a sterile procedure
• Certification and skill in IV insertions
• Excellent interpersonal skills are required along with flexibility in a dynamic, ever changing, fast paced environment. Successful documentation of performance and competencies is required along with dependability and strict adherence to privacy and confidentiality policies
• Must have a working knowledge of anatomy & physiology related to this specialty. Must have computer skills to include Microsoft Word, Excel, and the ability to navigate a computerized patient record system. Excellent interpersonal skills are required along with the ability to work independently and effectively in a diverse team environment

Grade Determinations:
(1) GS-3. 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.
(2) GS-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs (a) through (c) below:
(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.

(3) GS-5
(a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent.
(b) Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
(e) 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.
(f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action.
(g) 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.

(4) GS-6
(a) 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.
(b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations.
(c) 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; and to accurately recognize, report and record relevant] patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures.
(d) Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for care, including medication, equipment-assisted care and patient/family education. In organizing and delivering care, the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors.
(e) Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO.
(f) Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed.
(g) Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations, and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members, and other staff.
(h) Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers.
(i) Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures, which include preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment, and monitoring the patient's condition before, during, and following the procedure. Serves as a preceptor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures.
(j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will recommend grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.