The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) demonstrates unit/department specific competencies, and competency in caring for specialized procedures and practices for specialty care services including but not limited to cardiology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, rheumatology, and neurology. The incumbent also serves) in a generalist role to support and manage telehealth operations and is typically stationed at a clinic care delivery site (VA Medical Center, CBOC, VA Outreach Clinic, etc.)
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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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. 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 OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN. Licensure - Active, full, current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico), of the United States or the District of Columbia. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-6 Completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. 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. Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and 4 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. Prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved 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. 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. Recognize and appropriately respond to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others. Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing or speech may be required. However, in most cases, a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid. NOTE: Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who were converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986 are considered to have met the Education requirement. The waiver does not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions.
The incumbent performs a full range of duties and is responsible for day-to-day operation of telehealth services at the assigned location and remote sites of care. It is expected that the incumbent will receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. Assignments associated with this position include, but are not limited to: Prepares the clinical environment, which may include preparing medical and telecommunications equipment to be used for clinical examination and treatment. Serves as a tele presenter per scope of practice, during clinical video telehealth serving as a tele presenter per scope of practice, during clinical video telehealth (CVT) and VVC encounters including tasks such as establishing and maintaining video conferencing connections, making introductions between patient site and provider site, following instructions of a clinician to facilitate an effective clinical encounter. Serves as an imager and data manager for store and forward telehealth (SFT) clinical encounters including tasks such as capturing images, collecting data and transmitting them electronically for clinical review in accordance with VHA national guidelines. Receives and schedules requests for simple and complex intra-facility, and inter-facility telehealth appointments using an electronic resource-based scheduling system. Provides established standardized competency-based training, guidance and information on the use of advanced telehealth technologies to patients, staff, and providers. Provides established standardized competency-based training for telehealth technology, facilitating interactive simulations for clinical staff participating in telehealth programs. Participates in performance improvement activities aimed at improving the efficiency of the patient telehealth processes. Develops reporting procedures, sampling techniques and measurements at various points in the telehealth processes to identify/analyze inherent weaknesses in work and procedures. Collaborates with Eastern and Western Market to enhance Specialty Care (SC) consults virtually increasing efficiency and consult workload capabilities. Screens patients for Telehealth modality and referring patients that do not meet established criteria to appropriate care. Supports designated complex telehealth programs that require advanced technical skillsets. Provides a full range of care to patients with a variety of physical and psychological needs within the Medical Specialty Clinics including but not limited to cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, rheumatology, neurology, renal, and more. The clinical care needs may pivot. Demonstrates the ability to work given direction and moderate supervision by advanced LPN/RN/APP and/or MD/DO and provide modalities to Veterans that have multiple complex medical and or emotional conditions. Demonstrates adherence to VA and Nursing policies/procedures and standards and maintains competencies consistent with role responsibilities. Assists the RN/HCP and other staff in proactively identifying and addresses the Veteran's needs, following direction from the RN/HCP and takes appropriate action. Participates in the development of educational material for providing Veteran, family and caregiver teaching. Teaches and documents health concepts to Veteran, including learning needs and readiness to learn. Completes assigned duties and responsibilities which involve performing nonstandard and specialized practical nursing activities, requiring a broader work experience and demonstrated skill sufficient to resolve a range of nursing problems. Completes assigned duties and responsibilities which involve performing standard and specialized practical nursing activities, requiring knowledge and demonstrated skills sufficient to resolve a range of nursing problems under general supervision by the Advanced LPN/RN/HCP. Demonstrates ability to use independent judgment in selecting the most appropriate application of procedures and guidelines, varying the order and sequence of assigned procedures based on the patients' condition. Prepares and administers prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, controlled substances, intravenous piggybacks, continuous intravenous infusions, and injectable medications according to policy and procedure. Correctly documents medications given or omitted in Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) according to established policy and procedures. Documents effects of medications. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required