The Birmingham VA Healthcare System is a 313-bed acute tertiary care facility located in the historic Southside district of the city. The facility provides acute tertiary medical and surgical care to Veterans of Alabama and surrounding states. The medical center serves as a referral center for this population area with 135 operating beds currently. Most staff physicians have joint appointments with VA and its primary affiliation, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
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/12816927. 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: The physical requirements of this position include lifting, prolonged standing and sitting, frequent bending, walking (distance), climbing, reaching (overhead, extensive/repetitive), pulling, pushing, repetitive motion and stooping. The mental/sensory requirements include recall, reasoning, problem-solving, hearing, speaking clearly, writing legibly, keyboarding, reading and logical thinking, depth perception, hearing (aide permitted); near/far vision correctable to meet Driver's License requirements. The environment's pace can vary from steady to a sometimes-fast pace requiring handling of multiple priorities, frequent, sometimes intense customer interactions, and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes-noisy environment. There may be the need to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to disease, illness, and hazardous materials.
The Surgical Service Nurse Navigator RN reports to the Clinical Operations Manager of Surgical Service. The RN, in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, will be the primary gatekeeper for overseeing surgical patient care coordination to include pre-surgical care, post-surgical care, and surgical care after hospital discharge. The Surgical Nurse Navigator will possess a basic knowledge of surgical planning, utilization management processes, clinical documentation requirements, current standards of care, and compliance guidelines. The Navigator is responsible for the initial review and triage of clinic consults following consult timeliness and assigned service protocols. The Nurse Navigator will assure all necessary testing and documentation is secured prior to the patient being scheduled with a specialist. The Nurse Navigator will directly assist with patient care in his/her designated clinics or hospital setting including in the provision of patient education, scheduling and other duties assigned by Surgical Service Clinical Operations Manager. Will develop and coordinate seamless transitioning of patients across the surgical continuum through OR planning. This includes serial/frequent record review to assure that ongoing monitoring and effective communication regarding the timely completion of preoperative testing, medication changes, travel, driver arrangements, availability of special equipment, imaging, pathology, and/or changes in the surgery schedule occurs all within the surgical team. Coordinates all pretesting required (appointments, labs, diagnostic tests, procedures, and imaging) to expedite plan of care as well as follow up results via timely Secured Messaging, video care, or telephone communication before the assigned section clinic appointment or procedure. Follows up results to communicate them to assigned team as well as the patient following test result notification protocol. Maintains excellent communication with both surgical team and Manager in order to assure timely surgical requests and the required logistical, prosthetics, and loaner surgical items are available. He/she will attend weekly surgical specialty meetings to review upcoming surgical procedures, provide updates on special equipment needs, and keep an open communication with their assigned surgical team. The nurse will review daily schedules for valuable clinic visits, provide pre-clinic contact if needed, assist providers in clinic with exams/procedures, education, orders per protocol and follows medical center policies. The Nurse Navigator will collaborate with members of the multi-disciplinary team caring for patients with complex issues requiring specialized care. The nurse will provide excellent patient experience and service, may schedule nurse visits, may perform a walk-in/unscheduled visit, or communicate by telephone, VVC visit, as well as communicate through Secured Messaging to ensure the highest level of care. Liaisons with staff regarding scheduling management or concerns in their assigned section, clinic, and procedure area. Completes accurate and timely documentation of patient care according to the standards of the work area. Follows assigned service patients from point of care to discharge from specialty care. Assists in obtaining outside medical records and communicates with the team when records are available. Also assists in having outside records and/or imaging studies imported into the EHR. Nurse Navigator will provide pre-and post-procedure education and phone calls to Veterans to provide instructions and to address any concerns or needs. Ensures veterans understand which home medications can be continued and which need to be held for procedures. Serves as assigned service point of contact and Service Level Advocate. Participates in quality improvement processes and initiative. Completes assigned paperwork (FMLA, off work or return to work). The Surgery Nurse Navigator will be required to provide cross coverage for other Surgery Nurse Navigators as needed. 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, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Subject to change based on agency needs. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized