This position is aligned under the Nursing, and Ambulatory Care service assigned to the Rhinelander CBOC

Duties

Major Duties Include: A. Patient Care: 1. Provides basic information to patients regarding the telehealth process, orients to room and equipment, and answers patient's questions. 2. Provides disease specific education as appropriate. 3. Assists the remote provider with the patient physical exam as needed. 4. Places orders from the distant site consulting provider, as required. 5. Responsible for any patient education, documentation, and assistance with workload capture that is basic for the completion of the visit. 6. Has regular contact with the facility telehealth coordinator to work out any process issues, equipment needs/problems, data collection, and any other logistical issues. 7. Opens the telehealth patient room. Readies the equipment for exams, and establishes the videoconference connection with the provider's location. 8. Participates in orientation and training of new staff members to policy and procedures and work methodologies of the telehealth program. 9. Records and accurately documents patient information such as patient's physical condition, emotional response, and results of procedures. Makes sure that the preventive health information is updated appropriately. Notes changes in a patient's condition which warrants notification of a physician prior to appointment times. Informs members of the patient's primary care team of cultural preferences, religious preferences and changes that have occurred with aging. 10. Recognizes and responds appropriately in emergency situations. Initiates CPR in critical emergencies. Receives emergency patients in Ambulatory Care area, evaluates immediate needs, and calls for assistance as appropriate. 11. Identifies the patient for specialty provider. Stays in the room with the patient if this is part of the clinic protocol or as the patient requests. Provides hands on care as part of the encounter with the specialist if needed. . Documents and closes encounters, answering clinical reminders and performing other duties as needed to ensure a beneficial telehealth visit. 13. When the veteran arrives for the scheduled appointment, the LPN may check the veteran in through VISTA and then checks out of VISTA once the telehealth appointment is completed. 14. Facilitates a complimentary working relationship with members of the telehealth team, assuming the liaison role when the health care provider raises questions regarding eligibility, clinic appointment availability, and procedure scheduling. 15. May schedule veteran for follow up appointments if ordered by the specialty provider. 16. Administers the patient's satisfaction survey. 17. Performs intakes for various PC clinics as assigned. 18. May be utilized to draw blood and complete EKG's in the Primary Care area. 19. Provides ideal customer service to all veterans and has a major impact on the overall success clinic operations as a whole. 20. Secures patient's confidence and cooperation during procedures. Explains procedures, positions patients for desired results, and cushions and shields patients as appropriate. Varies procedure or position to adjust to patients' medical condition. 21. Sets equipment parameters based on the patient's diagnosis or specific and/or individualized testing criteria. 22. Assists during procedures by monitoring patient's condition, administering medications, and monitoring and recording reactions. Collects information. Recognizes deviations in patient's condition and takes appropriate action. Sets up all necessary accessories or supplies and advises other medical personnel of new equipment, accessories or supplies. Ensures proper cleaning and performs minor maintenance and adjustments. Performs medical procedures such as starting IVs, phlebotomy, and EKG, etc. 23. Provides general clerical/administrative support coordination work for the unit. Completes and enters encounter forms ensuring coding is correct and complete for reimbursement purposes. Coordinates fee basis services referrals and referrals to other facilities. Organizes and maintains a record keeping system for the program. 24. Demonstrates Patient Centered Care (PCC) through the use of effective communication with patients, families, visitors, and members of the interdisciplinary team, including the patient in mutual goal setting, and providing patient advocacy when appropriate. 25. Visibly demonstrates the ICARE (Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence) Core Values in interactions with Veterans, staff, and other stakeholders. B Safety: 1. Utilizes safe work practices including body mechanics 2. Identifies and initiates emergency measures 3. Utilizes protective and safety devices Other Duties Assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not eligible 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

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: Citizen of the United States. 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. Exception: 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. (Transcripts required with your application) License: 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. (Copy of your license is required with your application) 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). 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 DeterminationsGS-5 (a) Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. (b) Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and/or prescribed treatment regimes. (c) Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice. (d) 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 approval 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. (e) 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. (f) Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. (g) 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-6 Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. (b) Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. (c) 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 (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. (d) 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. (e) 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. (f) 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. (g) 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. (h) 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. (i) 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. (j) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS5 to GS6.Physical Requirements: Extensive periods of sitting, standing and walking. Working with patients requires regular and recurring lifting, pushing, stooping, squatting, kneeling, crouching and similar activities.

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 Oscar G Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility 325 East H Street Iron Mountain, MI 49801 US
• Name: Kevin Estrada
• Phone: 319-338-0581 X636728
• Email: [email protected]