Clarification from the agency

OPEN TO CURRENT PERMANENT HINES VA EMPLOYEES ONLY INCLUDING CBOCS

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The Telehealth Licensed Practical Nurse (TCT-LPN) serves in a generalist role to support and manage telehealth clinical encounters from the patient and provider location as the site telepresenter, imager for telehealth store and forward application, and clinic manager for real time telehealth events. The job scope includes patient education activities, clinical, technical and scheduling activities, and other program support duties as assigned.

• Maintains inventories, tracks equipment issues and trains staff on video-conferencing technologies, telehealth peripherals (such as stethoscope, otoscope, spirometer and total exam camera) and scheduling software used to coordinate, manage resources and connect staff, resources, patients and providers in the manner effective to delivery of services, patient care, education and training.
• Provides advanced clinical technology information to patients, staff, and providers regarding Telehealth education and training processes. Assists the remote and local provider, employees and patients as needed.
• Opens the telehealth patient room, readies the equipment for the examination, training, education, access, and establishes the online, video conferencing or other connections. Creates the appropriate clinical and/or training setting/environment using interactive technology and is knowledgeable of adult learning using interactive technology and maximizing environments to support such activity.
• Coordinates information between facilities to expedite patient telehealth modality to access, promote and ensure maximum of continuity of care. Is the point of contact for both outpatient and inpatient referrals requiring telehealth services. Coordinates telehealth modalities with medical staff, patients, facilities, telehealth services, and emergency services.
• Maintains coordination and consolidates the telehealth schedule to assist in multiple appointments of patients using telehealth equipment/technology and other resources.
• Reviews each planned telehealth encounter for needed resources ( e.g. video conferencing, clinical peripherals, telepresenters, scheduling, medical equipment, telehealth environment) to ensure resources are appropriate and meet safety requirements for the patient telehealth encounter.
• Maintains daily telehealth schedule to assist in scheduling rooms, patients, technology and telepresenters.
• Reads, analyzes and interprets directives, policies and regulations pertaining to telehealth services making recommendations of actions needed to ensure compliance with requirements.
• Independently reviews/analyzes data from the telehealth program for adverse patterns/trends; identifies and proposes development and implementation of solutions.
• Deals effectively with the FTC and other Hines staff to ensure timeliness and resource availability.
• Orients the patient to all telehealth services such as home telehealth, store and forward, and clinical video telehealth.
• Identifies the staff, patient or provider as the presenter. Stays in the room and facilitates the interaction, if this is part of the protocol or as requested.
• Provides hands on assistance to the provider and the patient as part of the encounter, as needed.
• Documents patient reminders, clinical reminders ( as applicable), clinical interactions, closes encounters, answers questions, and performs other duties as needed to optimize patient outcomes.
• The imager will obtain an abbreviated history which may include such things as; duration of diabetes, method of treatment (insulin/oral/dietary control), latest hemoglobin Al C value, last dilated eye exam by date and provider, and past ocular history.
• Imagers will use coding required to guarantee appropriate workload capture. Enter imaging and reading data into the Teleretinal Imaging Tracking Log.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30AM to 4:00PM
Location: Kankakee VA Clinic 581 William Latham Drive, Suite 301, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Travel Required: 50% or less (You are expected to travel for this position).

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications

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.
• Licensure: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) 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.

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.

Grade Determinations:
GS-3. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4. Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in paragraphs 3b(2)(a) through (c) below:
(a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; or
(b) Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) 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
(c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration.
(d) LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques.

GS-5 Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. AND

Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. 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 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 and skill sufficient to 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. Knowledge and 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 and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO. Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures. However, completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review.

GS-6: Must have completed at least (1) one year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and fully meets all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN and demonstrates the following:·Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. Knowledge and 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 relevant 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 and considers emotional, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and age-related factors. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures. Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments, promptly and accurately documenting noted changes, and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO. Knowledge and 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 and understanding of human behavior, patient motivations and reactions to situations, and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family members, and other staff. Establishes constructive 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 in all aspects of care delivery. Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other internal/external customers. Knowledge and 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 orienting, educating, and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures.

Preferred Experience: Telehealth experience, Clinical Assessment, Use of Technology in the clinical setting

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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to
GS-6
Salary Ranges:
GS 6: $64,293 - $83,578
GS 5 $ 60,635-78,837
GS 4 $54,208-70,479
GS 3 $48,292-62,772

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. Requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.