CLINICAL TELEHEALTH NURSE (CTN) DERMATOLOGY/SPECIALTY CARE NURSING

Full Job Description

The primary purpose of the Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse is the performance of more complex nursing assignments within their care setting.

The LPN/LVN possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices.

The LPN/LVN work is of considerable difficulty and responsibility and is performed under general supervision.

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. 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 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.

English Language Proficiency. Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English.

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: In addition to the basic requirements, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade.

NOTE: Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit.

Although these positions are under the supervision of an RN and/or MD/DO, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision), as well as a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures.

Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a nursing unit or for a specifically identified group of patients.

(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 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.

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-7.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-7 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, kneeling, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required.

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, and able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Major Duties:

Duties include but not limited to: Promotes and demonstrates nursing concepts in the Medical Center. Works in collaboration with the Registered Nurse (RN), and or Health Care Provider.

Documents care provided; observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms, observing changes in patient's condition (e.g., behavior shifts, mood changes, skin coloring, appetite, etc.) Based on assigned area, performs nursing care procedures (e.g., sterile techniques, blood glucose monitoring, catheterization, suctioning, wound care, colostomy care, tube feeding, tracheotomy care, oxygen therapy, deep breathing and coughing, and specimen collection) according to policy, guidelines, and oversight from senior nursing staff.

Complies with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for pretreatment/cleaning Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) in applicable patient care setting.

Assists other staff in order to prioritize the overall veteran care needs and adjusts the plan of care as needed.

Has 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.

Accurately reports and records significant veteran information received from other team members and is able to analyze and implement modifications based on these reports.

Demonstrates the ability to work independently with intermittent need for readily available supervision and communicates effectively with the veteran, families, caregivers, professionals, and other supportive staff.

Performs Telehealth Store and Forward imaging, including Tele-dermatology.

Assisting with the facilitation of real-time clinical telehealth encounters, assisting with patient education activities, and patient intakes.

Serving as an imager and manager of clinical data for store and forward telehealth (SFT)clinical encounters including tasks such as reviewing and accepting consults, capturing images, collecting data, and transmitting them electronically for clinical review following VHA national guidelines.

Preferred Experience: Minimum 2 years of dermatology experience: procedural and sterile field setup. Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Outpatient specialty clinic experience of 2-3 years 1 year of Tele-Derm and/or dermatology Imaging experience Tele-Health Unrestricted drivers license National certification in field Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #:21906F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for those highly qualified newly appointed applicants.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized