This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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/12600646. 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: Heavy Lifting (45lbs and over); Heavy Carrying (45lbs and over); Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour); Pushing (1 - 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 4 hours); Standing (up to 4 hours); Repeated bending (up to 2 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted). ["PRIMARY ROLES Triages and promotes accurate documentation in the Primary Care (PC) PACT notes Observes, records, and reports patient's response or changes in patient's condition Promptly recognizes and responds to urgent or emergent situations Assists provider with exams, procedures (vs. accu-checks, weight/height, PAPs, Telehealth duties, etc.) Performs treatments (EKG, injections, dressing changes, etc.) Completes encounters in a timely and accurate manner Prepares and administers medications i.e. oral and injections (per provider/protocol) Tracks and administers required immunizations (per provider/protocol) Completes written orders per provider/ protocol Enters consults for social services, prosthetics, nutrition, etc. Assists with and documents exit/discharged interviews - ensures visit closure by confirming required patient education, orders and clinical reminders have been processed/completed Instructs/directs patients to Lab, X-ray and other support services Performs and enters urine pregnancy test results in CPRS Performs ear irrigations as ordered per provider/protocol Assists Team with panel management Incorporates Dr. Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring 10 Caritas Process into nursing practice Practices per protocol and follows medical center's policies Promotes evidence-based patient driven care. Completes Clinical Reminders Performs other duties as defined Responds to Secure Messaging in a timely and appropriate manner (within24-48 hours) Reviews daily schedule for patient care needs, identifies high risk patients Performs nurse visits, schedules clinic visits, walk-in or urgent patient visits and telephone visits Assists with group visits and shared medical appointments Identifies additional services needed by veteran/family Completes Pre-visit contacts: Reminder calls for appointments Responds to view alerts in a timely and appropriate manner (within24-48 hours) Contacts patients with normal and abnormal lab results as documented in provider's progress note Coordinates care, follow-up labs, procedures, case management and addresses care coordination issues Assists with Lipid Management of male/female high-risk patients Assists with medication reconciliation Utilizes motivational interviewing to guide patients to establish goals Identifies high risk populations/chronic disease tracking and patients that could benefit from CCHT, HBPC, OEF/OIF, CVT, Palliative Care, Hospice, etc. Work with Team to coordinate chronic disease management per protocol Improves transition in care by collaborating with multidisciplinary services, internal and external Collaborates with key members of expanded team: Health Promotion Disease Prevention Program Manager, Health Behavior Coordinator, Move Coordinator, Women's Health and others to facilitate care coordination Performs telephone triage and utilizes appropriate protocols Promotes access with non face to face visits when appropriate, completes post discharge calls within 48 hours Responds to patients' medication concerns Participates in daily and weekly huddle Participates in Team meetings and utilizes Instant Messaging to enhance team communication Assists with orientation: PACT patient orientation and new staff/affiliate orientation Provides the highest quality care and services to our customers, which includes patients, family members, and medical center employees Utilizes Performance Portal, Disease Registry, Almanac and Compass data to identify patients not meeting performance measure goals Utilize motivational interviewing to enhance communication and promote patient self management. Identifies, educates and coaches to support self-management, prevention and wellness, based on patient's goals Checks equipment/supplies daily and restocks Utilizes and have knowledge of appropriate cleaning solution for reusable medical equipment Performs environmental rounds and inspects assigned area daily Preceptor or mentor to colleagues and/or students 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 to Friday Work Hours: 7:30am to 4:00pm EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.