The Licensed Practical Nurse (Telehealth Clinical Technician) supports Telehealth clinical programs by providing a wide range of clinical and technical services, which include serving as the site imager for Telehealth store and forward applications, facilitator for real time Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT) encounters, including patient education activities, Primary Care as well as specialty care remote visits, and providing equipment for the Care Coordination Home Telehealth (CCHT) program.

Duties

The Cincinnati VA Medical Center is a two-division campus located in Cincinnati, Ohio and Fort Thomas, Kentucky serving 15 counties in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana with 6 Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Bellevue, KY; Florence, KY; Lawrenceburg, IN; Hamilton, OH; Clermont County, OH, and Georgetown, OH. Cincinnati VAMC also supports two off main campus locations in the Cincinnati area via an Eye Center and Mental Health Outreach Community Division. The major duties of the Licensed Practical Nurse (Telehealth Clinical Technician) 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. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or MD/DO of changes in patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention. 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 teleretinal screening, teledermatology Telewound care and other Telehealth programming as technology becomes available, as identified and referred by the primary care provider, other providers, and the imager. Guided by local policy/standing orders, the imager can initiate consultations for patients on behalf of the primary care provider, who retains responsibility for patient care. The TCT will provide patient education regarding the imaging process. 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. Assists in patient care under the direct supervision of an independent licensed healthcare provider. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports and workload reporting. Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the clinical video conferencing, training, CCHT, SF, My Health E Vet and Telehealth clinics. Provides a full range of care to patients' requiring complex treatments and care with remote supervision by the Registered Nurse/ Physician. 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. Maintains a safe, clean, therapeutic environment and adheres to infection control guidelines. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday - Friday; Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91338-A 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. 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). 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. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission], 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. 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. 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-03 None beyond the basic requirements listed above. GS-04 Experience: 6 months of qualifying experience as a LPN or LPV; or Education: Graduation from an approved school and one year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures; or Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-05 Experience: Completion of at least (1) year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): in addition to the above experience, must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice. Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures. Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO. Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated, promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO, and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review. GS-06 Experience: Completion of at least (1) year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent. Demonstrated KSAs: 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 only a general review by a registered nurse 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 customers. 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: none References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06.

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 Cincinnati VA Medical Center 3200 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45220 US
• Name: Jenevive Vile
• Phone: 713-437-9389
• Email: [email protected]