Registered Nurse - PACT

Summary

The Outpatient Staff Registered Nurse is responsible for influencing care outcomes by collaborating with clients and members of the interdisciplinary team to achieve desirable patient outcomes. The nurse assesses - triages - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age-specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.

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/12708312
• 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/
• Physical Requirements: heavy lifting (45lbs & over)
• straight pulling
• pushing (2hrs)
• reaching above shoulders
• use of fingers
• walking (6hrs)
• standing (2hrs)
• repeated bending (6hrs)
• specific visual requirement (see computer screen)
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• hearing (aid may be permitted)
• visual acuity 20/30 Environmental Factors: working with hands in water
• working closely with others

Duties

• The functional duties of the outpatient staff registered nurse are dynamic and critical for access to care
• The nurse is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse's obligation to provide optimal care
• Duties are but not limited to: Manages client panel(s) - utilizes registries - and ensures appropriate evaluation and access is provided to patient panels primarily through day-to-day face to face care and limited ad-hoc virtual care
• Incorporates whole health when providing health promotion - health education and coaching on wellness - disease prevention - and chronic care management
• Partners with the patient - family - and interdisciplinary team to promote effective and safe transitions across the health care continuum - including the client's goals of care
• Manages communications and facilitates safe transition of patients between the PACT sites of care and other health care settings
• Delegates elements of care to the appropriate individual based upon assessed needs - condition - and safety of the patient
• Required to follow outreach policies - procedures - and standard operating processes
• Conducts and participates in outreach activities - coordinate any travel scheduled with rural clinical sites - community partners - at Veterans Affairs (VA) Stand-Downs - and for any other homeless special events
• Function as point of contact with Veteran's Service Organizations (VSO) - etc. - to recruit and arrange for new homeless patient appointments
• Continue and grow strong relationships with VA Homeless programs and community partners
• Providing care in the least restrictive - most cost-effective manner virtually
• Improve clinical outcomes and access to care while reducing complications - hospitalizations - and clinic or emergency room visits for Veterans in post-acute care settings and high-risk patients with chronic and mental health disease
• Provides initial and ongoing comprehensive assessment to include a review of systems which establishes a comprehensive plan of care
• Triages and assesses all data received from HT patients such as vital signs - reported symptoms and question responses
• Identifies and intervenes for potential exacerbations of complications to facilitate timely care in Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) clinic - Emergency Department (ED)/Urgent Care (UC) - and or/care in the community
• Provides communication and data exchange with community-based providers when there is co-managed care
• Communicates and facilitates with the interdisciplinary team regarding progress to goals
• patterns or trends of data - symptoms - or findings
• concerning findings
• need for provider assessment and/or interventions
• Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care
• Assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization
• Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of complex primary care
• Collaborates in the development - implementation - evaluation - and revision of policies - procedures - and/or guidelines
• Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for the Primary Care Department and facility
• Supports colleagues and other nurses through primary care knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care
• 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: Monday - Friday
• 8am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: MAY BE available Telework: NOT available Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: AUTHORIZED EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more 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.