Career Center

The primary practice setting for this role is the VA Community Care Service which operates and coordinates through the Associate Chief of Staff. The practice of the Registered Nurse in this position is based on knowledge, experience, and research and has direct impact on Community Care (CC) patients, patient safety, and appropriate flow and follow up of our patients who receive care from providers in the community. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. NOTE: Nurse III must demonstrate performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for a group of patients. The Nurse III is responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level. Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level. In order to be considered for appointment to Nurse III, outcomes must be documented. Meeting the Practice dimension involves incorporating and implementing the requirements of the other qualification standards, including: (a) Leading and organizing delivery of care to assure continuity of care and peer accountability for practice, including access to care and discharge planning. (b) Using advanced clinical knowledge/judgment to promote staff involvement in planning, decision-making and evaluating outcomes. (c) Functioning as an expert in clinical practice and/or in areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities. (d) Systematically evaluating current practice, and formulating outcomes for groups of patients and/or organizational processes within area of expertise. (e) Guiding, developing and supporting staff from a leadership perspective.(f) Using professional standards of care, scientific evidence and practice to evaluate programs and/or service activities. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight Pulling (2-6 hours); Pushing (2-6 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (5-9 hours); Standing (4-8 hours); Kneeling (1-2 hours) Repeated bending (2-4 hours); Climbing, legs only (1-2 hours), Twisting (2-4 hours), Working closely with others. ["The Registered Nurse duties will include but are not limited to: The Nurse functions directly to support the activities of the local Office of Community Care (LOCC). The Registered Nurse is responsible for the planning., integrating, implementing, modifying and evaluating the effectiveness of the Veteran's care. The LOCC foundational elements will serve to support delivery of high quality, timely care to the Veteran receiving services in the community. The Registered Nurse is the lead of the integrated care team established by the VA Community Care Operating Model. He/she is responsible for providing clinical leadership and expertise on community care processes and regulations. The Registered Nurse will serve as a liaison to both internal and external providers and will be responsible for managing the care of the Veteran and the seamless transition to and from the community. He/she possesses the knowledge related to VHA guidelines, utilization review criteria, current evidence-based standards of care, compliance guidelines and local policy related to Delegation of Authority as established by the facility Chief of Staff. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as customer service programs. The Registered Nurse serves as a facilitator for patients in collaboration with Medical Center clinical and administrative staff and with providers in the community. He/ She is responsible for accountable coordinating patient care for the Community Care Service in a \"clearing house\" position to ensure the most appropriate and economical fee basis care is provided. The Registered Nurse researches for available resources within the VA and/or within the patient's community, keeping in mind the patients' condition and the need for special modes of transportation. Also, demonstrates the ability to work effectively with patients, family/significant others, physicians, nurses and community health care professionals to optimize care in the community in the most efficient and economical manner. He/ She maintains clinical knowledge to determine need for patient information before community referral and assessment of adequacy and appropriateness of care provided by providers. Work Schedule: To be discussed during interview process.\nTelework: May be offered at Management discretion\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required."]