The Durham VA Health Care System is looking to fill one (1) full-time Registered Nurse vacancy for the Health Administration Service.
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/12815457. 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: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, both legs and repeated bending. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours); Pushing (up to 4 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 8 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters; Correctable vision :20/40 in one eye; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders; Emotional and Mental Stability: The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.
Job Description/ Scope of Practice: The Registered Nurse for Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) has a specific practice setting in Health Administration Service. The practice of the registered nurse in this position is accountable for using a variety of collaborative strategies with Physicians, Advance Practice RNs, Physician Assistants, other multidisciplinary team members, Medical Care Cost Recovery (MCCR) and Health Information Management (HIM) staff to ensure severity of illness and level of service provided are accurately reflected in the medical record. Their responsibility is to facilitate correct documentation to reflect delivery of quality patient care and maximize third party collections. The incumbent is responsible for effectively teaching the medical/hospital staff on topics such as clinical documentation opportunities, coding/reimbursement, and updates on regulatory changes. These RNs would function as clinical champions supporting the overall CDI program in line with their informatics role, providing a clinical and informatics perspective, and bridging the gap between the HIM MRT (Coder) CDIS's and the clinical side. In addition to the described scope of practice, the RN for CDI assists the Revenue Office in directing, planning, and implementing a fully integrated Clinical Documentation Improvement Program at the facility and VISN as appropriate. The incumbent possesses current clinical knowledge to efficiently and concurrently review medical records, identify opportunities for improved documentation, understanding of performance improvement processes, knowledge of utilization management processes, clinical documentation requirements, current standards of care, coding and compliance guidelines, knowledge of Diagnostic Related Groups (DRG) and third party payment regulations. Annual competency validation is required. The RN CDI maintains competency in clinical documentation improvement by assessing medical record documentation and providing timely and proficient feedback to providers. Specific skills are: Utilizes complex automated data processing, communication, and data processing systems and their application for evaluation and documentation standards. Provides reports of outcome of documentation findings as required. Complies with VHA regulations governing consent to release of information, ensures confidentiality of all patient information and guides others accordingly. Assists with options available and participates in a course of action, which will result in the most favorable patient, program, or organizational outcomes. Demonstrates fiscal responsibility for all programs, to include staffing, financial, human, material and informational resources to facilitate patient care and safety. Reviews clinical problems or issues related to clinical documentation. Reviews, collects, and interprets data for program improvements within the Revenue Program. Preferred Qualifications/ Experience: Minimum of five years successful nursing practice to include medicine, surgery, emergency department, medicine and ICU skills Demonstrated ability to interact with interdisciplinary team members in collaborative goals and problem solving Knowledge of and familiar with ICD-10 Coding is preferred Prior work with ICD 9 Coding is preferred Prior VA Experience is a plus Experience with discussing clinical parameters with physicians/mid-levels and delivering education to a variety of groups. Experience to benchmark, measure goals for identification of opportunities to formulate action plans to support goals. Preferred Education: BSN working towards Masters in Informatics with graduation within 1 year MSN or related field with BSN or Bachelor's Degree in a related field MSN obtained in bridge program (no BSN required) PHD in Nursing or related field Preferred Certification: ANCC Certification in Nursing Professional Development or other Staff Development 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 through Friday, 7:30am - 4pm Tour subject to change based on the needs of the agency. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.