The VA Finger Lakes Health Care System supports the provision of patient care using telehealth technologies which increases a Veteran's access to care and support a Veteran's self-management. These technologies may include but are not limited to Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT), Store and Forward Telehealth (SFT), Video Conferencing, VA Video Connect (VVC), Virtual Care Manager (VCM), VA Mobile, My HealtheVet (MHV), Home Telehealth (HT), and other telehealth applications.
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: a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b. 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. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency [or] the National League for Nursing [Accrediting Commission], 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. [Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. Exceptions include:](1) 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.(2) [ ] 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.[(3) Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. See paragraph 4, section C.] c. 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. An LPN[/LVN] who has or has ever had, any license(s) revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. d. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.A pre employment physical examination will be required. e. 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).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). 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: To be determined according to VA HANDBOOK 5005/3 FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: PART II APPENDIX G13EFFECTIVE DATE: APRIL 10, 2003LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD. Preferred Experience: Medical Specialty Nursing experience and Experience with Telehealth Equipment along Excellent Customer Service experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a 07. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical patient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.
DUTIES MAY INCLUDE HOWEVER ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: Responsibilities will include: evaluating telehealth operations and supporting performance improvement efforts, providing technical support to end-users, scheduling simple and complex intra-facility and interfacility telehealth appointments, installing, and maintaining and troubleshooting technology. Activities shall be consistent with national, VISN and facility level policies and procedures; and support national, VISN and facility strategic goals. Functions as a member of the health care team by demonstrating an exceptional degree of practical nursing knowledge and skills necessary for self-direction in carrying out complex practical nursing care assignments within their setting for a Veteran population with a variety of health care needs. Successfully and consistently demonstrates independent technical judgment as well as comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of complex practices and procedures. Demonstrates knowledge, experience, skill, and self-motivation to carry out complex patient assignments, which include prioritization and coordination of clinical activities with minimal supervision. Position requires completion of at least one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-6 level or equivalent, fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-6 LVN / LPN. Provides a wide range of complex/specialized clinical and technical services that demonstrate complex technical judgement to assigned patients taking into consideration patients' ages, cultural backgrounds, education level, and any other special needs. Utilizes technically complex digital medical image/data capture peripherals, including IP/streaming stethoscopes, otoscopes, high definition total exam cameras, tele-retinal imaging stations, and digital camera photography. Will need to arrange and complete test video calls with Veterans to prepare the Veterans for clinical encounters using telehealth technologies and instruct providers on VVC. This includes being able to troubleshoot audio and video connections with the patient's cell phones (Android and iPhone), tablets (Android and iPad), different models of laptops, and different models of desktop computer equipped with webcams. Telehealth subject matter expert and facilitates, directly, or indirectly through collaboration with colleagues and co-workers at his-her work site, the clinical, administrative and business components as set forth by VHA Office of Connected Care. Serves as the site imager for SFT applications and facilitator for real time CVT encounters including patient education activities, patient follow-up, and specialty care remote visits. Travel to outlying CBOCs, VA Medical Center, Outreach Clinics, or non-VA sites will be required. Travel for education, training, and patient care will be involved. Performs telehealth imaging guided by facility, VISN 22, and VHA program guidelines and policies, including but not limited to Tele-retinal screening, Tele-dermatology, Tele-Spirometry, Tele-Surgery and other telehealth programming as technology becomes available, as identified and referred by the primary care provider, specialty care providers, and other providers. Guided by local policy/standing orders, the imager can initiate consultations for the patients on behalf of the primary care provider, who retains responsibility for patient care. Uses telehealth technology and scheduling software to coordinate and connect staff, resources, patients and providers in the manner effective for delivery of services, patient care, education, and training. Able to troubleshoot audio, video, and connection problems. Responsible for patient, staff education/training, documentation, and assistance with workload capture that is basic for the completion of the visit and/or training. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports and workload reporting. Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the clinical video telehealth clinics, training, and Store and Forward Telehealth clinics Assists maintaining inventories, tracking equipment issues, and documents accordingly. Ensures telehealth exam rooms and equipment are ready for clinical sessions. Coordinates information between facilities to expedite patient telehealth modality to access, promote, and ensure maximum continuity of care. Demonstrates the ability to assist the RN, advanced practice provider and/or physician 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 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm