Career Center

The Telehealth Clinical Technician (TCT) is a LPN that serves in a generalist role to support Telehealth clinical programs from the patient location. The LPN provides a wide range of clinical and technical services to the Veteran that demonstrates complex technical judgment under general supervision of a registered nurse or MD. 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. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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 National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Transcripts must be submitted at time of application. Conferral of degree(s) must be stated on transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Exceptions include: Individuals granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school. 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. Licensure: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth 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. Grade Determinations: GS-3 None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Candidates may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the following criteria: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN/LVN; OR Graduation from an approved school and one year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures; OR Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-5 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Employees assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities: Demonstrated knowledge/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/MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or NAs/HTs in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Provides education to patients/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 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. Knowledge/skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and document actions taken specific to prescribed oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures. Observation/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. Knowledge/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. Recognizes/responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. GS-6 Completion of at least 1 year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent, fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN. Employees assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities: Proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Knowledge/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 patient information. Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse or physician for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures. 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/considers emotional , cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors. Prepares/administers medications and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, documenting noted changes, and reporting any changes from normal to RN or MD/DO. Knowledge/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. Knowledge/understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations, and ability to utilize this knowledge in working with patients, family members, and other staff. Establishes 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. Incorporates knowledge and understanding of customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers. Knowledge/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 educating and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex tests/procedures. 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 II-G13-1 APPENDIX G13. LICENSED PRACTICAL OR VOCATIONAL NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Straight pulling; Pushing; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking; Standing; Repeated bending; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Hearing (aid permitted); Ability to distinguish basic colors; Working with Constant noise/inside/outside; Slippery/uneven walking surfaces; Working around moving objects or vehicles; Working with hands in water; Working closely with others/ alone; Protracted or irregular hours of work ["The complexity of duties include serving as the site imager for applications and facilitator for real time Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT) encounters, including patient education activities, Primary Care as well as specialty care remote visits. Additionally, provides technical and scheduling support, and other program support duties, as assigned. Demonstrates nursing practice with remote supervision of a registered nurse or physician. Administers medication accurately and promptly under the general supervision of a registered nurse. 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 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. 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. Performs Telehealth imaging, including tele-retinal screening, tele-dermatology Tele-wound care and other Telehealth programming as technology becomes available, as identified and referred by the primary care provider, other providers, and the imager. Responsible for the patient site facilitation of the clinical, business, scheduling and technical aspects for real-time Telehealth applications, including, but not limited to, Tele-mental health, primary care Telehealth, Tele-rehabilitation and tele-patient education clinics. Uses video-conferencing technologies, Telehealth technology and scheduling software to coordinate and connect staff, resources, patients and providers in the manner effective to delivery of services, patient care, education and training. Responsible for any patient, staff education/ training, documentation, and assistance with workload capture that is basic for the completion of the visit and/ or training. Assists in patient care under the direct supervision of an independent licensed healthcare provider. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports and workload reporting. Is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the clinical video conferencing, training, and SFT 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. Observation, Reporting and Documentation: Identifies subtle changes in patient 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. 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. Clearly and thoroughly records significant observations and actions on appropriate forms. Completes required patient care documentation and records significant observations and actions utilizing the nursing process in a clear and concise manner. Maintaining a safe and Therapeutic Environment: Maintains a safe, clean, therapeutic environment and adheres to infection control guidelines. Prevents injury to self and others by complying with established safety procedures and uses proper body mechanics and transfer techniques. Participates in accomplishing unit maintenance tasks which includes checking equipment to ensure that it is functioning safely. Practices aseptic techniques during sterile procedures. Demonstrates safe work habits, identifies and immediately reports any unsafe conditions to the registered nurse. Identifies any life threatening environmental hazards immediately, takes appropriate action and reports findings to the registered nurse. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8AM - 4:30PM\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Practical Nurse - Telehealth/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]