The Telehealth Clinical Technician (TCT) is a GS 7 LPN/LVN that serves in a generalist role to support Telehealth clinical programs from the patient location. The incumbent provides a wide range of clinical and technical services to the veteran that demonstrates complex technical judgment under general supervision of a registered nurse or MD.

Duties

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to: Demonstrates nursing practice with remote supervision of a registered nurse or physician. Administers medication accurately and promptly under the general supervision of a registered nurse. Demonstrates understanding of the effects and/or reactions caused by medications, treatments, and procedures. Records and reports these observations. Demonstrates the ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Demonstrates the independent technical knowledge and skills that are complex in nature and that contribute to the veteran's treatment plan and support the successful completion of the Telehealth visit. Performs Telehealth imaging, including TeleEye screening, TeleDermatology Imaging Telewound care and other Telehealth programming as technology becomes available, as identified and referred by the primary care provider, other providers, and the imager. Incumbent is responsible for the patient site facilitation of the clinical, business, scheduling and technical aspects for real-time Telehealth applications, including, but not limited to, Telemental health, primary care Telehealth, Telerehabilitation and telepatient education clinics. Uses video-conferencing technologies, Telehealth technology and scheduling software to coordinate and connect staff, resources, patients and providers in the manner effective to delivery of services, patient care, education and training. Responsible for any patient, staff education/ training, documentation, and assistance with workload capture that is basic for the completion of the visit and/ or training. The TCT assists in patient care under the direct supervision of an independent licensed healthcare provider. The TCT can be crossed-trained to perform a range of direct care duties that may include, collecting vital signs and other clinical components of a primary care visit as directed by policy or clinic standard. The TCT conducts quality control procedures on equipment and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports and workload reporting. The TCT is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the clinical video conferencing, training, SFT, My Health E Vet and Telehealth clinics. Performs personal care, diagnostic support duties and treatments according to procedure under the direction of the professional nurse in a timely manner. Responds to patient's nursing needs, including physical comfort, and emotional needs and recognizing deviations from the normal. Will involve patients and family to participate in the provision of care throughout the continuum. Demonstrates the ability to plan and organize assignments independently. Demonstrates the ability to guide and direct other LPN and Nursing Assistant staff in the provision of care for select groups of patients with remote supervision by the registered nurse Identifies subtle changes in patient condition, both physical and emotional. Demonstrates practical knowledge of human behavior, motivation and reactions to situations. Reports these in a timely manner and initiates appropriate action. Participates in Health Care Team meetings. Instructs patients and family members on principles of health, self-care and protocols for treatments and /or medications. Utilizes teaching materials to promote self-reliance and independence including methods to prevent complications and facilitate recovery. Reinforces instruction provided by other health care professionals. Clearly and thoroughly records significant observations and actions on appropriate forms. Completes required patient care documentation and records significant observations and actions utilizing the nursing process in a clear and concise manner. Maintains a safe, clean, therapeutic environment and adheres to infection control guidelines. Prevents injury to self and others by complying with established safety procedures and uses proper body mechanics and transfer techniques. Participates in accomplishing unit maintenance tasks which includes checking equipment to ensure that it is functioning safely. Interacts with visitors/staff in a courteous, thoughtful, and caring manner using tact, discretion and patience when explaining policies and procedures or assisting in finding an answer to a problem. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. 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 for 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. See paragraph 4, section C. Licensure: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-7 The GS-7 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. (a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. Minimum of one (1) year of specialized Telehealth experience including proficiency in Clinical Video Telehealth (Synchronous) and Store and Forward (Asynchronous)Telehealth programs. (b) Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general, and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans. (c) Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery. Makes astute observations of subtle, less obvious changes, both physical and emotional, in patient's condition, and accurately and thoroughly documents care delivered and patient's response to care that could require immediate modification of the patient's care plan. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations. (d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels. (e) Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate. (f) Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision. (g) Exhibits skill, creativity, and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice. (h) Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas. (i) Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff. (j) Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision. (k) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. Preferred Experience: One year Telehealth clinical experience required. Greater than one (1) year Telehealth clinical experience preferred, Current LPN license in state of Oregon References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Laurie Johnson
• Phone: (503) 220-8262 X51488
• Email: [email protected]