The Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) expands the provision of patient care to various institutional and non-institutional settings by utilizing innovative telecommunication technologies to enhance care coordination, broaden access to care, manage routine diseases to prevent future healthcare crises, and promote patients' participation in their own care. This is actualized via Telehealth Services. Telehealth Service programs include modalities

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: - Demonstrates the ability to provide a full range of care to patients who require complex treatments/care. Administers medications accurately with the remote supervision of a registered nurse (RN). - Exhibits the capability to assist the RN and/or the provider to aptly prioritize overall patient care needs and modify care plans as appropriate. - Practices patient centered care. Readily performs personal care, diagnostic support duties and treatments according to policy/procedures under the direction of an RN. Responds to patient's needs, including physical comfort and emotional needs, and recognizes deviations from the normal. - Possesses the independent, complex, and technical knowledge and skills that support the successful completion of the Telehealth visit. Maintains a current knowledge of Telehealth program requirements. - Knowledgeable of the FHCC Telehealth Emergency Protocol. - Responsible for planning and organizing the day to day operation of CVT and SFT clinics in their assigned location. - Provides patient education, reinforces provider instructions, and verifies understanding. Ensures that documentation and coding guidelines are followed to warrant workload capture. - Promptly addresses consults. Schedules patient appointments accurately following current procedures for RTC and Recall Reminders such as correct PID or CID and matching PID in the 2-appointment system in Telehealth. - Uses video conferencing technologies, Telehealth technology, and scheduling software to coordinate and connect staff, resources, patients, and providers to effectively provide patient care, education, and training. - Responsible for the patient site facilitation of the clinical, business, scheduling, and technical aspects for real time Telehealth applications such as, but not limited to Telemental Health, TeleNephrology, TeleAudiology and TeleMove. - Performs Telehealth imaging and procedures in Store and Forward (SFT) programs and other Telehealth clinics per established guidance. Guided by local policy orders, the imager can initiate consultations for patients on behalf of the primary care provider, who retains responsibility for patient care. - As a certified imager in SFT, follows the consult pathway accurately to ensure successful image transmission. Appropriately documents in CPRS using required templates. Tracks and ensures that images are read by the reader within 3-7 calendar days to avert delay in diagnosis and treatment and to promote quality care. - Follows the standard operating procedure for latent image deletion in SFT programs. Follows guidance concerning urgent health issues related to ocular pressure in TRI and TeleEye Care, if applicable. - Administers mydriatics and bronchodilator medications used in TeleRetinal Imaging/ Tele Eye Care and TeleSpirometry safely and accurately. Applies wound care medications and treatments safely and efficiently under the guidance of the provider, following infection control protocols. - Regularly and proactively screens patients utilizing the appointment list, the Corporate Data Warehouse reports such as the DM/HTN/HD report, and other data warehouses as instructed by the supervisor. Also screens patient charts to identify patients who may benefit from available telehealth services. Performs these screenings independently to advance the program and offer available services to a broader range of patients. - Proficiently troubleshoots telehealth technology and equipment. - Conducts quality control procedures on equipment and products. Maintains current quality control reports. - Shares expertise with colleagues and new employees in accordance with established Telehealth program policies and directives. - Exhibits time management skills in the monitoring, follow through, and reporting of the progress of unresolved work. Identifies when revisions are necessary before work is completed. Ensures that the supervisor's instructions on work priorities, methods, deadlines, and quality are met. - Identifies subtle changes in the patient's condition, both physical and emotional. Demonstrates practical knowledge of human behavior, motivation and reactions to situations. Reports these in a timely manner and initiates appropriate action. - Initiates and participates in PACT team huddles. - Educates 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 instructions provided by other health care professionals. - Clearly and thoroughly records significant observations and actions in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) utilizing required templates. - Acts as a resource to other staff members. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 7:30a to 4:00p Compressed/Flexible: not available Telework: not available 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. Must possess a current, full, active and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical nurse or vocational nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia. This is required in order to hold a position as a Licensed Practical Nurse with the Federal Government. Must be a graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing that was approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing (Accrediting Commission, NLNAC) at the time you completed the program. Must be proficient in both spoken and written English. 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). Grade Determinations: (a) Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LPN/LVN.(b) Knowledge and skills necessary to carry out more specialized patient care duties, including assignments in selected, more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings. Knowledge base promotes the incorporation of current patient care data in actively contributing to the development of the patient's overall health plan and in carrying out assigned nursing interventions. Positions at this grade level require broader knowledge and skills because supervision is more general and employees are expected to be involved to a greater degree in the development and modification of treatment plans.(c) 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. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN is expected to participate to a greater degree in prioritizing, and, as appropriate, modifying patient care treatment. They must also possess the ability to observe more subtle physical and emotional changes in patients and demonstrate taking appropriate action based on those observations.(d) Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/DO in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments, accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments according to established policies/procedures and appropriately recording administration and patient's response to medications/treatments received. (This may include restricted medication locally authorized for administration by employees at this grade level.) Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to readily recognize the more subtle signs and symptoms of potential or actual drug reactions, promptly inform the RN or MD/DO of observed changes in patient's condition and initiate appropriate, prescribed interventions. Employees at this grade level demonstrate broader knowledge and skill with respect to these responsibilities than employees at lower grade levels.(e) Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO for appropriate team intervention and effectively intervene, as directed, to assure the continuation of optimal, safe and therapeutic patient care delivery. At this grade level, the LPN/LVN must have a broader knowledge of the patient treatment process and exercise judgment that demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene when appropriate.(f) Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles for more positive patient outcomes. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control, resistant or abusive behaviors, or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the above types of patients under very general supervision.(g) Exhibits skill, creativity and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in committees/task forces, research projects or in developing educational materials/media. Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice.(h) Possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care. Serves as a role model and mentor to other nursing staff in the application of more complex technology, effectively guiding and directing their continuing practice in these areas.(i) Supports the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery. Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the RN or MD/DO. In addition to responsibilities at the lower grade level, the LPN/LVN is responsible for monitoring the practice of non-licensed nursing and medical staff.(j) Work of considerable difficulty and responsibility is performed under general supervision. Individuals in these positions are, to a considerable extent, expected to exercise independent technical judgments and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles, art and science of practical nursing. The staff mix is such that employees at this grade level are expected to perform practical nursing duties of considerable difficulty and responsibility under very general supervision.(k) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice.] References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G13 - Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse Qualification.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: To perform in a fully successful manner, the individual must have the physical ability to perform the following job-related duties: moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); pushing (no more than 0.5 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (no more than 1 hour); standing (no more than 1 hour); kneeling (no more than 0.5 hours); repeated bending (no more than 0.5 hours); climbing, legs only (no more than 0.5 hours); both legs required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; and hearing (aid permitted). In addition, the following administrative functions are required: wording processing; computer key board typing; computer screen viewing; answering/placing telephone calls, filing, and note taking. A health examination must be successfully completed prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Occupational Health Clinic policy. There will be intermittent exposure to blood and body fluids. This position requires travel to the CBOCs.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center 3001 Green Bay Road North Chicago, IL 60064 US
• Name: Lisa Ahearn
• Phone: (928) 445-4860 X6301
• Email: [email protected]