The incumbent is located at one of the sites of care for the VA Boise Healthcare System, including the main Boise campus, the Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Twin Falls and Caldwell, the outreach clinics in Burns, Salmon and Mountain Home. The Telehealth Clinical Technician (TCT) is a GS 6 LPN/LVN who serves in a generalist role to support Telehealth clinical programs from the patient location. 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: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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. Additional information may also be obtained from the ACEN Website (formerly the NLNAC). 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.-VHA employees who were converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160, enacted November 21, 1983, and for VHA employees converted to appointments under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576, enacted October 28, 1986; and for their future personnel actions under this authority. The waiver will not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions. 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. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-03:None beyond the basic requirements. GS-04: Six months of qualifying experience as LPN or LVN. OR, Experience and Education: 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, Education: Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. GS-05: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent and fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-4 LPN/LVN. 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. Knowledge and skill 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. 4. 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. 5. Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action. GS-06: Completion of at least one year of qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent and fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN 1. Technically proficient in initiating, performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills. 8. 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.9. Actively 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 G13The 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. 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, stooping, 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/residents 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, able to shift priorities based on Veteran needs. ["The LPN/Telehealth Telepresenter / Clinical Facilitator (Critical Element) is responsible for: - Patient site facilitation of the clinical, business, and technical aspects for real-time telehealth applications, including telemental health, primary care telehealth, telerehabilitation, telechaplaincy, and telepatient education clinics - Uses video-conferencing technologies, examines the patient for the distant site consulting provider, and enters protocol orders for recommendations of the distant site consulting provider, as required. - Provides basic information to patients regarding telehealth process and may also provide disease specific patient education. - Assists the remote provider with the patient physical exam as needed. - Responsible for any patient education, documentation, and assistance with workload capture that is basic for the completion of the visit. - Has regular contact with the facility Telehealth Coordinator (FTC) to work out any process issues, equipment needs / problems, data collection, and any other logistical issues. Independently resolves/troubleshoots routine issues and provides outcome information to TC/supervisor at appropriate intervals. - Opens the telehealth patient room. Readies the equipment for exams and establishes the videoconference connection with the provider's location. Creates the clinical setting, the \"Telehealth Presence.\" - Orients the patient to the telehealth room, equipment, and telehealth process, and answers patient questions. - Identifies the patient for the specialty provider. Stays in the room with the patient if this is part of the clinic protocol or as the patient requests. Provides hands on care as part of the encounter with the specialist if needed. - Documents and closes encounters, answering clinical reminders, and performing other duties as needed to ensure a beneficial telehealth visit. - Makes reminder phone calls to the Veteran or sends reminder letters. - When the Veteran arrives for the scheduled appointment, checks the Veteran in through VISTA into and then checks out of VISTA once the telehealth clinic appointment is completed. - Schedules, or facilitates scheduling through the clerks, Veterans for follow up appointments if ordered by the specialty provider. - Administers the patient's satisfaction survey as applicable. - Receives requests or instructions for telehealth clinical encounters and procedures. Interprets requests or instructions for medical or health care personnel. Receives assignments for a variety of difficult examinations. Employee independently interprets and carries out the requests. - Secures patients' confidence and cooperation during procedures. - Determines technical factors, sets controls, and operates equipment and instruments. Sets up and adjusts specialized equipment with multiple features that requires precise patient positioning to operate correctly. Selects and sets technical factors for invasive procedures. Sets equipment parameters based on the patient's diagnosis or specific and/or individualized testing criteria. Makes precise adjustments to clarify readings and measurements. Ensures proper cleaning and performs minor maintenance and adjustments. Performs medical procedures such as starting IVs or removing needles, etc. - Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking, recording, and reporting to supervisor or LIP deviations in vital signs, taking specimens, labeling specimens for the laboratory. Arranges and passes medical instruments and materials to medical/health professional for a variety of diagnostic tests and procedures. Makes gross visual observations and identifies subtle changes regarding the patient's condition. Uses hot and cold packs, changes sterile dressings, cares for patients and sets up and gives treatments that require auxiliary equipment. - Performs administrative tasks such as maintaining control records for specimens and tests and documenting measurements taken. Manages medical support functions for clinic or practice. Monitors patient scheduling, tests receipts and controls, equipment scheduling and maintenance of levels for specialized supplies. Responds to inquiries from patients, family members and caregivers. Coordinates activities of unit with medical support services throughout the organization. Collects and organizes statistical data for regular and one time reports. - The imager demonstrates knowledge of mechanics and functioning of all equipment in the imaging clinic, and cleans, performs routine minor maintenance, and requests service for all ophthalmic and computer equipment. The imager utilizes technical support to trouble-shoot and upgrade computer and telehealth technologies - Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0630-1600 Compressed/Flexible: No Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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