Advanced Practice Nurse (NP) Podiatry

Veterans Health Administration • Salisbury, NC

5d

About The Position

The Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) works within the Podiatry Service, under the overall management of the Section Chief of Podiatry, as part of an interdisciplinary team that includes podiatrists, physicians, advanced practice providers, technicians, administrative staff, and clerical staff. The incumbent is responsible and accountable for providing comprehensive clinical services and complying with applicable Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Medical Center, Surgery Service, and Podiatry Section policies and procedures. The position practices within approved clinical privileges and scope of practice and collaborates with the Podiatry team to provide safe, timely, evidence-based care to Veterans in outpatient and, when applicable, inpatient settings. Duties are performed in partnership with Surgery Service leadership, the Section Chief of Podiatry, the Administrative Officer, and other interdisciplinary team members.

The role includes administrative responsibilities such as attending staff meetings, communicating through the chain of command, assisting with issue briefs and follow-up actions, maintaining timely clinical and electronic health record documentation, and participating in clinic management, access, productivity, performance measures, quality and patient safety activities, and process improvement initiatives. The incumbent supports appropriate use of resources and works with clinical and administrative staff to improve continuity, efficiency, and timeliness of care.

Clinical duties may include evaluating foot and ankle conditions; taking histories and performing examinations; diagnosing and managing podiatric conditions; ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies; wound assessment and care; callus care and nail debridement; diabetic foot evaluation and management; post-operative follow-up; care coordination; casts, splints, and off-loading devices; injections; patient and caregiver education; and initiating referrals or consults. Procedures are performed only within approved scope of practice and privileges.

The position requires a post-master’s certificate or master’s or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner, graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, an active, current, full, unrestricted NP license, and current basic board certification in an accepted NP specialty. Nurse II is the entry grade and requires no experience. Nurse III requires one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to Nurse II. The position follows a Monday–Friday schedule, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., or a schedule set at supervisory discretion.

Requirements

• Post-master’s certificate or master’s or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time the program was completed; foreign education must meet the stated degree-equivalency validation requirements.
• Active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as a Nurse Practitioner in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Maintain full and current basic board certification in an accepted NP specialty: FNP, ANP, AGPCNP, ACNP, AGACNP, or GNP, from ANCC, AANPCB, or another nationally recognized certifying body in the area of academic preparation.
• English proficiency in basic written and spoken English for direct patient care.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Subject to background/security investigation; selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Selected applicants must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Participation in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• May be required to serve a probationary period and must complete application requirements in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• For Nurse III qualification: one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level.
• Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing-designated position are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis; refusing testing results in denial of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive clinical services to Veterans in outpatient and, when applicable, inpatient settings, practicing within approved clinical privileges and scope of practice.
• Comply with applicable VA, VHA, Medical Center, Surgery Service, and Podiatry Section policies and procedures.
• Attend required staff meetings, communicate through the chain of command, and assist with issue briefs, follow-up actions, and service-level requirements.
• Maintain timely clinical documentation, manage open encounters and consults, and complete required electronic health record documentation.
• Participate in clinic management, access, productivity, performance measures, quality and patient safety activities, and process improvement or system redesign initiatives.
• Support appropriate use of resources and collaborate with staff to improve continuity, efficiency, and timeliness of care.
• Evaluate foot and ankle conditions; obtain comprehensive and focused histories and perform physical examinations.
• Diagnose and manage podiatric conditions within scope of practice and approved privileges.
• Order and interpret laboratory studies, X-rays, MRI, CT, vascular studies, and other appropriate diagnostic testing.
• Assess wounds and provide wound care.
• Provide callus care and nail debridement when within approved scope and privileges.
• Provide diabetic foot evaluation and management.
• Provide post-operative follow-up and coordinate care with the operating podiatrist or surgical team.
• Apply or manage casts, splints, and off-loading devices as appropriate.
• Perform injections when within approved privileges and scope of practice.
• Educate Veterans and caregivers about diagnoses, treatment plans, medications, preventive care, and follow-up.
• Collaborate with podiatrists and interdisciplinary team members and initiate referrals or consults when indicated.
• Maintain appropriate credentialing, privileges, and practice within the specialty area.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• One full and unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory is accepted for licensure.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level