The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) serves at the point of care for Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital and its Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). Under supervision from a higher grade LPN, registered nurse (RN), or Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP), the LPN provides quality nursing care to a culturally diverse Veteran population of varying complexity in a variety of settings - acute care, residential, mental health, rehabilitation, palliative, and hospice.

Duties

The Telehealth Licensed Practical Nurse (TCT-LPN) serves in a generalist role to support and manage telehealth clinical encounters from the patient and provider location as the site Telepresenter, imager for telehealth store and forward application, and clinic manager for real time telehealth events. The job scope includes patient education activities, clinical, technical and scheduling activities, and other program support duties as assigned. The incumbent serves as a patient site clinical coordinator and manager of telehealth services in assigned clinic(s). He/she is essential for the clinical aspects of the intervention and is available for all Telehealth visits to support the following duties: The Major Duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Directly reports to the Facility Telehealth Coordinator (FTC) and is responsible to work out process issues, equipment needs, problems, data collection, and provides TCT coverage to all the CBOCs when needed. Responsible for the patient site clinical, business, scheduling and technical aspects for real-time telehealth applications, including all specialty and primary care telehealth encounters (clinical video and support of home telehealth). This includes, but is not limited to, telehealth encounters for Tele mental Health, Tele-GI, Tele-MOVE Weight Management Program, Tele-Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME), and Tele Smoking Cessation. Maintains inventories, tracks equipment issues and trains staff on video-conferencing technologies, telehealth peripherals (such as stethoscope, otoscope, spirometer and total exam camera) and scheduling software used to coordinate, manage resources and connect staff, resources, patients and providers in the manner effective to delivery of services, patient care, education and training. Coordinates information between facilities to expedite patient telehealth modality to access, promote and ensure maximum of continuity of care. Is the point of contact for both outpatient and inpatient referrals requiring telehealth services. Coordinates telehealth modalities with medical staff, patients, facilities, telehealth services, and emergency services Provides advanced clinical technology information to patients, staff, and providers regarding Telehealth education and training processes. Assists the remote and local provider, employees and patients as needed. Reviews each planned telehealth encounter for needed resources (e.g. video conferencing, clinical peripherals, telepresenters, scheduling, medical equipment, telehealth environment) to ensure resources are appropriate and meet safety requirements for the patient telehealth encounter. Maintains coordination and consolidates the telehealth schedule to assist in multiple appointments of patients using telehealth equipment/technology and other resources. Participates in performance improvement activities aimed at improving the efficiency of the patient telehealth processes. Analyzes own work flow to determine potential problem areas and recommends corrective action to improve coordination between various units/facilities. The Telehealth LPN performs patient screening and exercises judgment to perceive patient's needs and evaluates clinical record to determine appropriateness for telehealth, and determines appropriate telehealth modalities. This role has a major impact on the overall success of clinic operations as a whole. The Telehealth LPN will function as photographers to acquire images of patient's eye for detection of diabetic retinopathy. Works with health care teams in identifying patients who would benefit from telehealth services and coordinates care. Provides ideal customer service to all staff, patients, and providers. Orients the patient to all telehealth services such as home telehealth, store and forward, and clinical video telehealth.) Identifies the staff, patient or provider as the presenter: Stays in the room and facilitates the interaction, if this is part of the protocol or as requested. Provides hands on assistance to the provider and the patient as part of the encounter, as needed. Makes initial and/or follow up appointments using Appointment Management. Makes reminder phone calls to patients arid providers as necessary. When the patient, provider, and/or staff arrives for the scheduled appointment, checks them in through Appointment Management and then checks them out once the appointment is completed. Appropriate scheduling and appointment check out are critical. Documents patient reminders, clinical reminders (as applicable), clinical interactions, closes encounters, answers questions, and performs other duties as needed to optimize patient outcomes. Discusses any controversial findings impacting telehealth care of the patient and difficult/complex telehealth concerns with providers or other members of the team. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 730am- 4:00pm- This is a Temporary Appointment Not to Exceed 24 months.

Requirements

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. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Graduate of an approved school of practical or vocational nursing. 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 jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. Current BLS certification (American Heart Association) 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-6: Must have completed at least (1) one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and fully meets all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN and demonstrates the following:? 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 or physician 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: Two years of LPN experience. Currently certified in BLS/CPR. Current driver's license and car insurance. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. Requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G13 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.

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 Edward Hines Junior Hospital 5000 South 5th Avenue Hines, IL 60141 US
• Name: Marisol Barajas
• Phone: 708-202-8387
• Email: [email protected]