Licensed Practical Nurse (Telehealth)

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.

01Basic 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. Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.

02Experience

Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-06 grade level. Qualifying GS-06 grade level experience includes, but is not limited to: carrying out complex patient care and telehealth operations, including telehealth imaging, auxiliary testing, and encounter coordination. Candidates must assist RNs and providers by prioritizing care needs, making astute observations of subtle physical or emotional changes, and taking immediate action.

This includes proactively managing medications, monitoring for subtle drug reactions, recognizing potential emergencies for rapid intervention, and using advanced communication skills to handle difficult or resistant patients and families.

Additionally, qualifying experience involves serving as a resource person and mentor for specialized procedures, overseeing telehealth metrics and image compliance, supporting the monitoring of unlicensed staff, and contributing initiative to quality improvement and care delivery AND; Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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.

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. 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. 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.

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. 7 Actively promotes and effectively incorporates established customer service standards in all aspects of their practice.

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 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. Preferred Experience Telehealth knowledge National Preceptor Course completion Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

03Physical Requirements

This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care, and potentially long periods of walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling. See VA Handbook 5019 and local LPN/LVN physical standards.

VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: https://youtube.com/embed/Ae85IP1Oiz4 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to: Performing more complex nursing assignments within the practice setting, possessing comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices. Exercising independent technical judgments while working under general supervision and functioning at a fully successful level.

Performing telehealth imaging, such as tele-retinal screening, tele-dermatology, tele-wound care imaging, and other telehealth programming identified and referred by primary care providers, other providers, and imagers. Providing patient education related to telehealth care processes, disease processes, disease management, and preventative health care. Completing and initiating appropriate clinical reminders, consults, and alerts. Utilizing CPRS Vista Imaging to document telehealth images.

Utilizing CPRS to document all clinical observations, information, and patient education. Promptly recognizing urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeking assistance, and effectively intervening as directed when appropriate. Performing auxiliary testing such as visual acuity, papillary function, estimation of anterior chamber angle depth, intraocular pressure, dilation, and visual field. Scheduling, confirming, coordinating, and providing technical support for telehealth services.

Reviewing planned telehealth encounters to ensure appropriate resources (such as clinical peripherals and video conferencing) are available and appropriate modes and circumstances for telehealth modalities have been ordered based on patient needs. Preparing the telehealth patient room and equipment for examination, training, education, access, and establishing online, video conferencing, or other connections.

Providing "hands-on" assistance to the provider and patient as part of the encounter, training, or interaction as needed. Overseeing telehealth metrics. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30AM - 4PM Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 74975 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.