This Registered Nurse (Palliative Care Coordinator) position is located in the Geriatrics and Extended Care Services at the Leeds, MA location. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.
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/12752688. 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: Hospice and Palliative Experience Strong clinical and administrative skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities. Commitment to high-quality patient care, compassionate service, and ethical standards. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: All applicants must be physically able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position. A pre-placement physical examination shall be completed prior to appointment.
Include but not limited to: Hospice and Palliative Care Coordinator (PCC) RN is responsible for coordinating hospice and palliative care services for Veterans with serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Integrates holistic care principles, advanced clinical reasoning, and proficient technical skills to deliver patient-centered care, addressing both straightforward and complex health needs. The PCC ensures compliance with VA policies, considers all characteristics of the individual, including age and life stages, state of health, race and culture, values, and previous experiences. Assesses Veteran needs and utilize the nursing process and evidence-based practice in order to develop individual plans of care for patients in the CLC and Hospice. Facilitates referrals to enhance quality of life and alleviate distress. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as customer service programs. Care Coordination: Hospice Care: Qualify Veterans for hospice care based on diagnosis, life expectancy, treatment goals, and acceptance of hospice care. Receive hospice consults, review needs and options with Veterans and caregivers, and facilitate referrals to local hospice agencies. Conduct thorough assessments and develop individualized care plans that focus on comfort and quality of life. Conduct thorough assessments and develop individualized care plans that focus on comfort and quality of life. In-depth knowledge of palliative care principles, symptom management, and end-of-life care. Enter and manage hospice consults, collaborating with CWM GEC providers for comprehensive care planning. Palliative Care: Manage palliative care consults, reviewing needs and options with Veterans and caregivers. Collaborate with CWM GEC providers for palliative care planning and support. Quality Assurance and Monitoring: Implement protocols for hospice and palliative care orders, ensuring training and competency of staff. Formulates a plan of care based on nursing assessments based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice and seeks assistance as needed. Recognizes ethical issues related to professional nursing practice and behaves in an appropriate manner through observance of established policies of the unit, VA, and professional practice. Ensure adherence to clinical guidelines and best practices in hospice and palliative care. Track workload, monitor protocol compliance, and report on service quality and outcomes. Conduct periodic reviews of service delivery and implement corrective actions if needed. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Act as liaison between VA primary care teams, community referral sources, hospice agencies, and patients/caregivers. Provides rehabilitative, restorative and supportive/bereavement nursing care to prevent deterioration, when possible, to achieve and maintain optimal levels of functioning, independence and comfort, maximizing the Veterans' ability to adapt and adjust to living as independently and safely as possible Support CWM GEC providers and consult with them on Veteran needs as required. Documentation and Compliance: Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all hospice and palliative care consults and activities. Ensure compliance with VHA Directive 1139 and VHA Directive 1140.11, managing both VA and community-based hospice and palliative care processes. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 08:00 a.m. - 04:30 p.m. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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 Notifications: This position is a NAGE Bargaining Unit position. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action). This position is in the Excepted Service. The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards