Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12871962
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Preferred Experience - 2 years experience as an RN on an acute Care Unit/ Clinic Experience managing medically complex patients Clinic Setting experience BSN American Heart Association BLS Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (35 lbs and over)
• Heavy Carrying (35 lbs and over)
• Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour)
• Pushing (1 - 2 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 4 hours)
• Standing (up to 4 hours)
• Kneeling (up to 2 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 4 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• Far vision correctable to 20/20 in one eye and to 20/40 in the other
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• Emotionally/mentally stable

Duties

• The Care Coordinator Registered Nurse (RN) assists Veterans - family members - and caregivers with receiving the most appropriate options and services to meet their complex health care needs
• This includes - but is not limited to - acute - chronic - multiple - complex - catastrophic - or life-threatening illnesses
• combat stress - residuals of traumatic brain injury
• community adjustment
• addictions and other health problems
• Coordinates care with multiple providers across all levels and sites of care
• Coordination also includes assuring services interface within the Veterans Affairs (VA) and community programs to provide continuity of care to patients
• The Care Coordinator addresses psychosocial - as well as nursing and medical needs of patients and their families/caregivers - through participation with the interdisciplinary care team
• Coordinates and expedites care from diagnosis to treatment
• Analyzes and manages laboratory and radiology results and provides information to the providers
• Utilizes databases to provide population management to track patient care through all episodes of care
• Evaluates care and outcomes to ensure timely and appropriate provision of services
• Advocates for holistic care through patient/family education and provider interaction and implements an educational plan to meet the patient care needs
• The duties of the RN- Care Coordinator include but are not limited to- Independently plans and delivers technically competent care to patients with complex needs in alignment with the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice
• Manages the care of patients - while organizing and prioritizing patient care needs - and ensuring assigned tasks are completed
• Functions as an emerging leader in providing direction to staff to identify - implement and evaluate patient care needs
• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to ensure the plan of care is achieved
• Provides and directs others in Veteran/patient driven care that optimizes the patient's experience - satisfaction - and/or safety for a team of patients
• Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient
• Role models and displays ethical behavior
• Recognizes ethical issues related to professional nursing practice and models appropriate action by providing and directing others in the provision of care following established policies and ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses
• Models' high reliability principles and I CARE values to improve patient outcomes
• Demonstrates knowledge over a wide range of job responsibilities - effectively communicating with individuals and groups to build a strong sense of teamwork and purpose Shares knowledge and learning opportunities that enhance current nursing practice for self and others
• Shares knowledge gained from self-directed professional development activities
• Provides constructive feedback to others
• Educates colleagues and/or students and serves as a preceptor or mentor
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Full time - Monday- Friday - Day Shift - withe the potential for off tour and weekends if needed Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more