This Practical Nurse position is in GEC service at the North Hampton VA Medical Center. The Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN), GS-07 performs more complex nursing assignments within their setting. The LPN/LVN possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices. The LPN/LVN GS-07 work is of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision.

Duties

Collaborates with the FTC/Nurse Manager, Telehealth Assistant Nurse Manager, Program Analyst, and Lead Home Telehealth Care Coordinator to maintain exceptional ongoing telehealth services and establishing new provision of telehealth care. Provides guidance and technical direction relating to the telehealth program and relevant administrative matters. Collaborates with stakeholders to help develop new programs and processes to ensure telehealth programs are meeting the strategic plans of the healthcare system. Assists with development of policies and procedures related to telehealth to ensure compliance with directives and regulatory guidelines. Performs telehealth imaging, including tele-retinal screening, tele-dermatology, tele-wound care imaging and other telehealth programming as identified and referred by primary care providers or other providers. Provides patient education related to telehealth care processes, disease processes, disease management and preventative health care. Completes and initiates appropriate clinical reminders, consults, and alerts within the LPN/LVN GS-07 scope. Provides wound care and dressing changes per provider direction during or following clinical video telehealth visits. Ensures patient education of wound care & dressing changes. Measures wounds using acceptable technique using one time use tool or advanced wound camera technologies. Utilizes CPRS Vista Imaging to document telehealth images in the medical record. Utilizes CPRS to document all clinical observations/information/patient education. Perform auxiliary testing such as visual acuity, papillary function, estimation of anterior chamber angle depth, intraocular pressure, dilation, and visual field as needed. Serves as a telepresenter within scope of practice during clinical video telehealth (CVT) and VA Video Connect (VVC) encounters including tasks such as establishing and maintaining video conferencing connections, making introductions between patient site and provider site, and following instructions of a clinician to facilitate an effective clinical encounter. Schedules, confirms, coordinates, and provides technical support for telehealth services. Provides tele-audiology services, as trained and qualified to conduct. Reviews planned telehealth encounters to ensure appropriate resources are available (i.e. clinical peripherals, video conferencing) and appropriate mode and circumstance for telehealth modalities have been ordered based on patient's needs. Prepares the telehealth patient room including equipment for examination, training, education, access, and establishing the online, video conferencing or other connections. Provides "hands on" assistance to providers and patients as part of the encounter or interaction as needed. Serves as a liaison and coordinates information between image readers, primary care providers, specialty care providers, patients, and other VA personnel. Installs, maintains, inventories and trains various staff on all video conferencing technologies, telehealth peripherals (i.e. stethoscopes, otoscopes), and scheduling software. Participates in performance improvement activities to improve patient care and telehealth care processes. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. Compressed/Flexible:Not available. Telework: Yes - as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F03903 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

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. 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. 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: LPN GS-07: 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. 1. Possesses the knowledge and skills to carry out more specialized patient care activities. This knowledge base includes the use of veteran care data to initiate active contributions to the veteran's overall health plan. Observations of veteran's present status are made and interventions implemented to improve, restore or maintain the optimal function of the veteran. 2. Has knowledge of program regulations and is able to carry out objectives of the Nursing program. In doing this, follows the guidelines to meet and maintain program requirements. 3. Contributes to the development of the plan of care for assigned veterans outlining program modalities and updates per policy and as changes occur. This plan of care is completed with general review and co-signature by the RN or MD, utilizing a broad knowledge base and expertise in order to develop and modify treatment plans to meet the veteran and the family's expectations. 4. Promotes and demonstrates nursing concepts in the Medical Center. Works in collaboration with the Registered Nurse (RN), and or Health Care Provider (HCP). 5. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, Intramuscular, and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. The LPN/LVN observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's health condition, which may include prescribed medications/treatments, to promptly and accurately documenting identified changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN/HCP. 6. Takes appropriate actions based upon communications, observations, veteran care reports, provider/staff discussion. Reports changes to provider and demonstrates the knowledge and ability to effectively intervene and recommend and implement strategies that assure optimal, safe and effective care. 7. Assists other staff in order to prioritize the overall veteran care needs and adjusts the plan of care as needed. Has astute assessment skills, which allow for observation of obvious and subtle changes in the veteran health condition. Responds diligently to the veteran changes and deteriorating condition in emergent situations, notifying appropriate personnel in a timely manner. 8. Accurately and consistently reports and records significant veteran information received from other team members and is able to analyze and implement modifications based on these reports. 9. Is adept at encouraging and communicating with challenging psychological and physical behaviors to promote optimal functioning. Uses treatment modalities and implements appropriate practices and procedures with complex patients. Utilizes skills to influence and communicate with difficult and challenging veterans and families. 10. Demonstrates the ability to work independently without the need for readily available supervision and communicates effectively with the veteran, families, caregivers, professionals and other supportive staff. 11. Demonstrates the knowledge, skills and ability to perform treatments, procedures and the use and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment appropriate to assigned duties. 12. Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative by contributing to the overall veteran care delivery. and improving satisfaction, through active participation on committees, task forces and groups. 13. Utilizes sustainable practices to eliminate, minimize, or mitigate adverse environmental impacts. Familiarizes self with how work activities impact VA's goal to implement sound stewardship practices that are protective of the air, water, land, and other natural and cultural resources. Shall be a good steward of the environment by preventing pollution, minimizing waste, and continually improving environmental programs. 14. Supports the team in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing staff or non-medical staff to ensure safe patient care delivery. References: VA Handbook 5005/3 Part II Appendix G 10. Dated August 10, 2003. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. SPECIALIZED AND/OR PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:Prior Telehealth Experience either VA Video Connect (VVC) or clinic-to-clinic Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT). Applicant needs to have a high comfort level working with and problem solving technology. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 Northampton VA Medical Center 421 North Main Street Leeds, MA 01053 US
• Name: William Bernard
• Phone: 203 932-5711 X8234
• Email: [email protected]