Licensed Practical Nurse - Podiatry

The Licensed Practical Nurse/Nail Technician, a member of the Podiatry Team, will work with Staff Podiatrists to assist in the provision of Podiatric Services to our Veterans. The licensed practical nurse provides direct outpatient patient nail and foot care; patient triage; and provider/podiatry section support. This position is located primarily at the Dover, DE CBOC, but may need occasional travel to either Wilmington and Georgetown for clinical coverage.

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 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 patient's 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.). Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 460-07168F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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 interest. In 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.

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/.