Ohio Nurses Association

The Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System is currently recruiting two Licensed Practical Nurses - Telehealth to provide care to our Veterans as part of Nursing, Operations Service. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. 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: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. English Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written 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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-7 (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. (k) Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, and providing leadership in assisting other staff improve and advance their nursing practice. References: VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G13 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: The position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. It requires restraining confused patients, repositioning patients, assisting with transferring patients to Wheelchairs/stretchers/cars, and transporting them to other departments or facilities. Mechanical devices available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. 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. This position requires visual acuity, good hearing, distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The position requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level with neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control. ["The Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN), GS-7 supports designated complex telehealth programs through the use of advanced technical skillsets and performs more complex nursing assignments within their setting. The LPN/LVN possesses comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices such as performing Pulmonary Function Test (PFT's), TeleDermatology imaging, TeleRetinal imaging, TeleAudiology testing and hearing aid adjustments, performing wound care, specialty wheelchair adjustments, etc. The LPN/LVN GS-7 is expected to perform with minimal supervision. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: The LPN/LVN will demonstrate specific specialized skills within the scope of an LPN/LVN; functioning at the top of his or her license. Responsible for observing, recording, and reporting changes in the patient's condition, as well as assisting in the development and revision of the patient-driven holistic life care plan. Demonstrates active collaboration, communication and problem solving with the interdisciplinary Care Team (Patient, Licensed Independent Provider, Pharmacist, RN, and Medical Support Assistant) and Expanded Care Team (family/caregiver, internal and community-based services involved in providing care to the patient). Assist other units/clinics as needed and supports the team in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing staff and of non-medical staff to ensure safe patient care delivery. Technically proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations and assists other staff. Ability to observe, identify and respond to the patient's needs for 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. Utilizing principles of aseptic technique, universal precautions, and isolations requirements. Prepares the clinical environment, which may include preparing medical and telecommunications equipment to be used for clinical examination and treatment. Taking and recording in the medical record: clinical data from testing, imaging, height, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, pulse oximeter, temperate, pain score, weight, and neurological check. Collecting specimens, urine, feces, sputum, etc., and appropriately prepare and transports specimens to the laboratory. Ensures assigned telehealth technologies are secured, ready for use, and accounted for by preparing and tracking maintenance work orders, information systems, inventory records, and communicating with National Telehealth Technology Help Desk to facilitate troubleshooting, repair, and coordination of replacement equipment as necessary. Maintains knowledge and skill in applying an extensive body of rules, procedures, and operations in Telehealth-related technologies and a variety of computer hardware and software used for telecommunications, data entry and retrieval, record maintenance, document, and report generation. Maintains regular contact with other staff members and the Facility Telehealth Coordinator to workout process issues, equipment needs, problems, data collection and any other logistical issues. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations, seek assistance of appropriate personnel, and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed. Providing appropriate care and documentation for patients (1) at high· risk for falls, (2) requiring Emergency Orders of Detentions (EOD) or Court commitment, and (3) demonstrating suicidal or ideations, or (4) patients requiring special monitoring or observation. Aware of and adhere to the Safe Patient Handling policies and procedures. Adhere to the rights of medication administration (1) Right Patient, (2) Right medication, (3) Right dose, (4) Right route, (5) Right time, (6) Right documentation. Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and/or intravenous, enemas and suppository forms of medications). Serves as Telehealth resource and participates in performance improvement activities, committees, tasks groups and lean management in order to improve the overall nursing program. Serves as a preceptor/mentor in orienting, educating, and training less experienced staff related to telehealth activities and support duties for these more complex, specialized tests/procedures. Work Schedule: Varies based on the needs of the department Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 56291-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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