The Lead Telehealth Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Telehealth Clinical Technician (TCT) provides direct leadership to a team of Telehealth Clinical Nurses as well as leading initiatives designed to improve the delivery of care to Veterans using telehealth. The incumbent provides high level support, training, and advanced management of telehealth operations and is typically stationed at a clinical care delivery site VA Medical Center, CBOC, VA Outreach Clinic, etc.

Duties

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. Incumbent demonstrates nursing practice with remote supervision by an RN or physician. Administers medication accurately and promptly under the general supervision of an RN or physician. 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. Incumbent 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. Incumbent 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. 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. 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. 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. Prevents injury to self and others by complying with established safety procedures and uses proper body mechanics and transfer techniques. Communicates, both oral and written, are done in a professional manner and exemplify the mission and vision of this Healthcare System. 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. Providing standardized developed competency-based training for telehealth technology, facilitating interactive simulations for clinical staff participating in telehealth programs. Developing reporting procedures, sampling techniques and measurements at various points in the telehealth processes to identify/analyze inherent weaknesses in work and procedures and advises others as to trends in the processes of patient telehealth services. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Schedule may vary as deemed necessary to meet the needs of the Veterans and the Medical Center. Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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 Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), previously known as 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 Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), previously known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the ACEN 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. English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English. Minimum qualifications: 2-3 years successful nursing practice, as well as experience as a lead or supervisor Preferred experience: Is strongly encouraged/recommended to have Telehealth experience and leadership in nursing practice. 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: Of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 PART II APPENDIX G13The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting. The Telehealth Clinical Technician/LPN may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. S/he may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. S/he must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Applicants must possess the mental and physical ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment. Physical requirements may involve lifting, carrying, pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, walking, standing, sitting, kneeling, and repeated bending. S/he must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing on hire, as a condition of employment. In the performance of duties, s/he may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

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 Chalmers P Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic 420 North James Road Columbus, OH 43219 US
• Name: Mary Rose Hall
• Phone: 614-257-5200 X52138
• Email: [email protected]