Vocational Nurse (Wound Care)

About the role

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.

What you will do

• Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional The role includes orientation and mentoring of peers and other interdisciplinary team members in maintaining compliance with standards.
• The incumbent serves as a clinical expert through training and mentoring of nursing staff (RN, LVN/LPN, and NA) in the knowledge and skills of the wound care program.
• In addition, the LVN/LPN is a clinic leader involved in keeping the clinic workflow operating efficiently and appropriately.
• Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties Includes but is not limited to: Direct Patient Care: Manages the daily operations of the Wound Care and Tele-wound Clinics.
• Independently works in collaboration with the Wound Care provider (MD, NP, or RN) to manage the continuation of care for Veterans with ongoing wound care problems such as pain, healing concerns, dressings, and comfort.
• Makes appropriate referrals as needed.
• Tele-wound Clinics: Store and Forward Telehealth (SFT) LVN/LPN Incumbent performs telehealth imaging and test administration for Tele-wound care, as identified and referred by the VA provider.
• Guided by local policy/standing orders and protocols, the imager can generate consultations for patients based on guidance or protocol on behalf of the provider, who retains the overall responsibility for patient care.
• These consultations encompass follow-up service as a result of events that unfold during the telehealth visit.
• Examples may include changes in the health status, a finding during or immediately after the visit, or from the initial or ongoing interview performed by the LVN/LPN Imager before, during, and after the telehealth visit.
• The imager will provide specific/individualized patient education regarding the imaging/testing process, including expectations, follow-up, and how to address equipment failure or other environment of care concerns.
• Obtains abbreviated patient medical histories relevant to the examination being performed.
• Wound care clinic/Telehealth Tele-presenter/Clinical Facilitator: Incumbent serves as patient site clinical coordinator and is essential for the clinical aspects as described below of the appointment.
• The incumbent serves as a member of the clinic team, available for all tele-wound visits, and carries out the following duties: Patient site facilitation of the clinical, business, and technical aspects for real-time telehealth applications for wound clinics.
• Observation, Reporting and Documentation: Identifies subtle changes in patient condition, both physical and emotional.
• Possesses a high degree of specialized skill in the evaluation and documentation of wounds.
• Demonstrates practical knowledge of human behavior, motivation, and reactions to situations.
• Reports these in a timely manner and initiates appropriate action within scope.
• Documents all interactions, observations, interventions, and outcomes in CPRS.
• Through the initial interview pre-telehealth process, identifies potential triggers for negative patient response and takes definitive action to mitigate or eliminate these triggers.
• For example, a patient who self-reports claustrophobia will be educated on ways to ensure privacy while offering alternatives to the closed room feeling for the Veteran.
• Maintaining a Safe and Therapeutic Environment: Maintains a safe, clean, therapeutic environment and ensures adherence to infection control guidelines.
• Nursing Practice/Technical Competence: Current and active in licensure requirements, basic life support, and TMS education, which provides an opportunity for the LVN/LPN to demonstrate core LVN/LPN competencies.
• Other Duties as assigned.
• This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments.
• Work Schedule: M-F, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm, or as determined by the supervisor.
• Compressed/Flexible: This may be authorized at the supervisor's discretion.
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time off 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 for 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 $144,000 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-year 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.
• Functional Statement #: 11071-F

Requirements

• 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 before 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, 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.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• 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.

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: ***

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: ***

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) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and 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.

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Transcript The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Professional Certification SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for 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.