Licensed Practical Nurse - Lead TeleHealth Clinical Technician

The LPN GS-7 is responsible for goals and interventions that promote Veteran in attaining maximum functional potential. This is accomplished through but not limited to modalities such as ambulation, bowel and bladder training, dressing, grooming, bathing, oral hygiene, range of motion exercises and fall prevention modalities. The GS-7 is expected to be able to function at the fully successful level for all key elements at the GS-6 Level.

The LPN GS-7 is a full performance functional level for the LPN/LVN occupation for providing practical nursing care with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Possesses the knowledge and skills to carry out more specialized patient care activities. This knowledge base includes the use of Veteran care data to initiate active contributions to the Veteran's overall health plan.

Observations of Veteran's present status is made, and interventions implemented to improve, restore, or maintain the optimal function of the Veteran. Has knowledge of program regulations and is able to carry out objectives of the Nursing program. In doing this, follows the guidelines to meet and maintain program requirements.

Contributes to the development of the plan of care for assigned Veterans outlining program modalities and updates per policy and as changes occur. This plan of care is completed with general review and co-signature by the RN, and/or HCP utilizing a broad knowledge base and expertise to develop and modify treatment plans to meet the Veteran and the family's expectations. Promotes and demonstrates nursing concepts in the area of care.

Works in collaboration with the RN, and/or HCP. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, Intramuscular, and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. The LPN GS-7 observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's health condition, which may include prescribed medications/treatments, to promptly and accurately documenting identified changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN and/or HCP.

Assists other staff to prioritize the overall Veteran (patient) care needs and adjusts the plan of care as needed. Demonstrates astute assessment skills, which allow for observation of obvious and subtle changes in the Veteran health condition. Responds diligently to the Veteran changes and deteriorating condition in emergent situations, notifying appropriate personnel in a timely manner.

Is adept at encouraging and communicating with challenging psychological and physical behaviors to promote optimal functioning. Uses treatment modalities and implements appropriate practices and procedures with complex patients. Utilizes skills to influence and communicate with difficult and challenging Veterans and families.

Demonstrates the ability to work independently without the need for readily available supervision and communicates effectively with the Veteran, families, caregivers, professionals, and other supportive staff. Demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform treatments, procedures and the use and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment appropriate to assigned duties. Exhibits skill, creativity, and initiative by contributing to the overall Veteran care delivery, and improving satisfaction, through active participation on committees, task forces and groups.

Work

Schedule

TBD Location: 32nd Street Clinic Telework: Ad-hoc at Supervisors discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met. GS-7. The GS-7 grade level is for select, complex LPN/LVN positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. (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. Preferred

Experience

Minimum 1 year experience as a Telehealth Clinical Technician (TCT), GS-06 LPN. The ideal candidate has strong experience in telehealth workflows, excels in mentoring and supporting clinical staff, and demonstrates proficiency with telepresenting, clinical imaging, and CVT telehealth technologies. They show reliable independent judgment, adaptability, and effective coordination across diverse care settings. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical…