Practical Nurse (Podiatry/Orthopedic - Nail Technician)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Miami, Florida

Salary Range: $70600 - $91776 Per Year

Job Summary: The Miami VA Healthcare System (Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center) Surgical Care Service is seeking an experienced Practical Nurse (Podiatry/Orthopedic - Nail Technician). Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards, as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center.

Major Duties:

Practical Nurse duties but not limited to: The incumbent in this position will perform many assignments to relieve the mid-levels, attendings and residents of routine administrative and clinical duties. The incumbent performs palliative/routine podiatric care. Performs manual toenail debridement and callous care and observes and reports significant clinical changes. Enters a treatment note into a CPRS template, completes and electronic encounter form for that visit and sets a reappointment date for future treatment. Assist coordinating clinic appointments and procedures. Performs dressing changes and observes and reports changes, sets up for and assists with procedures in the clinic, records observations, and other treatments as trained. S/he evaluates condition changes and reports observations. Ensures restocking of supplies used in procedures and stocks rooms. The incumbent observes and provides for a safe environment for patients and others through monitoring, reporting and taking protective precautions with any hazards once they are observed. Incumbent removes sutures, k-wires, Steinman pins, etc. necessary to cast procedures as directed by the physician. The incumbent trims calluses, dressing wounds and assists with administering injections. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: This is NOT telework eligible Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 32113F Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Qualifications: 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. 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. 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). Licensure. Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Common wealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia. Education. Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State Board agency and/or [accredited by] the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) [formerly the Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)] at the time the program was completed by the applicant. 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. Grade Determinations: Completion of at least one (1) year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 customer 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. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. Preferred Experience: Working as an LPN in a podiatry clinic or department, particularly with a focus on diabetic patient care, to include nail clipping and management of diabetic foot conditions. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-6. Physical Requirements: Lifting (45 pounds and over), prolonged standing and sitting, frequent bending, walking (distance), climbing (steps, ladder, etc, reaching (overhead, extensive/repetitive), repetitive motion and stooping. The mental/sensory requirements include recall, reasoning, problem-solving, hearing, speaking clearly, writing legibly, keyboarding, reading and logical thinking. The environment's pace can vary from steady to a sometimes fast pace requiring handling of multiple priorities, frequent, sometimes intense customer interactions, and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes noisy environment.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/17/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12830036. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2025-11-17