This position is located within Nursing Service at the Phoenix VA. This physical location for this position will rotate between the Phoenix VA main campus and Banner University Medical Center in their Surgery Center in Phoenix, AZ
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/12736392. 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: OR Experience preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This position may include a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting. There may also be extended periods of sitting or standing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols using mechanical lifts that are provided.
The Registered Nurse in the surgical scheduling coordinator role requires a specialized skill set to include operative procedure knowledge such as case type and complexity, ASA risk assessment, surgeon knowledge and professional relationships, and equipment and vendor knowledge. The RN demonstrates leadership in delivering efficient, comprehensive, and holistic patient-centric care through active collaboration, communication, and coordination of resources. Duties include but are not limited to: Contacting patients for scheduling, to improve uptake of screening, or other services and support the achievement of targets. Coordinating care for patients by working closely with patients and the interdisciplinary team (to include providers and clinical care coordinators) to ensure that the patient is receiving proper and timely care. Receiving surgery/late surgery requests from surgery booking consults, tracking all consults in an orderly fashion for all surgical services, requesting procedure time in the Operating Room. Allocating surgery days and number of rooms based on the operating room utilization plan for block times. Assists the Nurse Manager and Chief or Surgery in assessing block utilization. Knowledgeably evaluating all requests for surgery to ensure realistic numbers of cases and lengths of procedures to coordinate allocation of time/space by service. Takes appropriate procedural action, in conjunction with Chief of Surgery, Anesthesia and Nurse Manager when allocations are exceeded. Monitoring patients in the waiting list for surgery to ensure they are scheduled in a timely by coordinating with the surgeon to fill in all openings that are available. Indicates all patients with potential need for implants/prosthesis prior to day of surgery and communicates to implant coordinator to ensures that the correct devices and equipment are obtained. Planning and discussing each procedure with surgical professionals and ancillary staff as needed. The incumbent can work independently as well as in collaborative relationship between the Nurse Manager, Charge Nurse, and supporting departments such as Logistics and Sterile Processing to assure all supplies and equipment are available prior to the surgical procedure. Screening all surgical procedures scheduled against existing clinical privileges to ensure all surgeons are privileged for requested procedures. Evaluates all clinical privileges quarterly to ensure that all are current and in effect. Attending and participating in daily huddles related to scheduling and patient flow. Serving as scheduling superuser for all modalities to include VISTA, DSS, and other scheduling packages. Implant coordination and management including communication with implant coordinator staff members and on-site staff delivering care. Maintaining community care process knowledge and professional relationships. Transcribing surgery requests and other charting between electronic health record systems. Participating in processes at partner facilities determined by protocols and policies on-site. Understanding processes for both Banner Surgery Center and VA Medical Center Main OR to support scheduling in both locations and ensure patients are scheduled in the appropriate location. 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: 0600 - 1430 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized