The Outpatient Primary Care Registered Nurse (RN) assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.
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/12735064. 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. Preferred Experience: Previous experience in a PACT model Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Straight pulling (1 hours); Pushing (2 hours), Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (4 hours); Standing (2 hours); Kneeling (1 hours); Repeated bending (3 hours); Both legs required; Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Emotional & Mental Stability Environmental Factors: Outside and inside; Dry atmospheric conditions; Fumes, smoke, or gases; Radiant energy; Electrical energy; Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working around machinery with moving parts; Working with hands in water; Vibration; Working closely with others; Working alone; Protracted or irregular hours of work; Working with hazardous drugs
Per the PACT model, functions of the RN include but not limited to: Participates in direct patient care surrounding scheduled and unscheduled visits Triages walk-in/acute care visits and utilizes RN protocols to assist with triaging Hands over patients RN to RN and assures handover packet is complete when transferring patient to community hospital/ER from the clinic Manages same day patient care needs and coordinates procedures, labs, transitions, education, and follow-up if indicated Conducts telephone triaging and nurse health advice calls Based on the daily huddle, identifies patients that will require special nursing care and collaborates with the team about how best to meet that patient's needs Reviews and completes nurse-driven clinical reminders during RN Care Management visits when appropriate Ensures patients are linked with all appropriate services, resources, and opportunities based on his or her needs Educates patients to promote independence in navigating through the healthcare system Provides patient education and patient education materials Assists with new patient PACT orientation Initiates consults to extended team including mental health, Home Tele Health (HT), Tele-medicine, Mental Health, Nutrition, MOVE, Social Work, HBPC, OEF/OIF, Palliative Care, Hospice, specialists, and non-VA care, etc. Conducts follow up calls ER visits the following day to determine follow up care needs Follows up veterans post-hospitalizations, reviews records, and coordinates follow up procedures, labs, transitions, education, and follow-up visits if indicated Schedules post discharge calls if veteran has not been contacted by the transitional nurse team within 7 days of discharge Acts as an advocate for patients to ensure Veterans needs are met Provides patient-centered care in all patient interactions Utilizes Health Coaching and Motivational Interviewing to partner with patients and assist with behavior change to guide Veteran toward his or her goals Partners with Veteran to support self-management, prevention and wellness Develops treatment plans appropriate for all stages of life from prevention and wellness to acute and chronic illnesses, as well as end of life care Answers medication questions and completes medication Establishes partnerships with specialty clinic and multi-disciplinary services to promote collaborative care Coordinates all transitions for patient care with specialists and consultants Reviews all records and consults for care managed patients related to patient transitions, including non-VA records, to ensure requested care has been provided and that appropriate follow-op care has been arranged Chronic disease RN Care Management (RNCM) Provides ongoing chronic disease management to a defined subset of patients in the RNCM clinic. The RN Care Manager is responsible and accountable for follow up and ongoing care to the patients in this subset Utilizes locally developed VA nurse protocols based on VA/DOD clinical practice guidelines to manage chronic diseases including HTN, DM, COPD, CHF, and HLD Uses Motivational Interviewing and Health Coaching skills to engage Veterans in goal-setting and improve self-efficacy RNCM patients maintain ongoing appointment s of varying modalities (telephone clinic, face-to-face, group visits, secure messaging) Develops knowledge of resources and utilizes the extended PACT to assist in provider care and management of chronic diseases 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, 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not 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.