Summary

The Outpatient Staff Registered Nurse is responsible for influencing care outcomes by collaborating with clients and members of the interdisciplinary team to achieve desirable patient outcomes. The nurse assesses - triages - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age-specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.

Qualifications

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/12708312
• 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 & over)
• straight pulling
• pushing (2hrs)
• reaching above shoulders
• use of fingers
• walking (6hrs)
• standing (2hrs)
• repeated bending (6hrs)
• specific visual requirement (see computer screen)
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• hearing (aid may be permitted)
• visual acuity 20/30 Environmental Factors: working with hands in water
• working closely with others

Duties

• The functional duties of the outpatient staff registered nurse are dynamic and critical for access to care
• The nurse is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse's obligation to provide optimal care
• Duties are but not limited to: Manages client panel(s) - utilizes registries - and ensures appropriate evaluation and access is provided to patient panels primarily through day-to-day face to face care and limited ad-hoc virtual care
• Incorporates whole health when providing health promotion - health education and coaching on wellness - disease prevention - and chronic care management
• Partners with the patient - family - and interdisciplinary team to promote effective and safe transitions across the health care continuum - including the client's goals of care
• Manages communications and facilitates safe transition of patients between the PACT sites of care and other health care settings
• Delegates elements of care to the appropriate individual based upon assessed needs - condition - and safety of the patient
• Required to follow outreach policies - procedures - and standard operating processes
• Conducts and participates in outreach activities - coordinate any travel scheduled with rural clinical sites - community partners - at Veterans Affairs (VA) Stand-Downs - and for any other homeless special events
• Function as point of contact with Veteran's Service Organizations (VSO) - etc. - to recruit and arrange for new homeless patient appointments
• Continue and grow strong relationships with VA Homeless programs and community partners
• Providing care in the least restrictive - most cost-effective manner virtually
• Improve clinical outcomes and access to care while reducing complications - hospitalizations - and clinic or emergency room visits for Veterans in post-acute care settings and high-risk patients with chronic and mental health disease
• Provides initial and ongoing comprehensive assessment to include a review of systems which establishes a comprehensive plan of care
• Triages and assesses all data received from HT patients such as vital signs - reported symptoms and question responses
• Identifies and intervenes for potential exacerbations of complications to facilitate timely care in Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) clinic - Emergency Department (ED)/Urgent Care (UC) - and or/care in the community
• Provides communication and data exchange with community-based providers when there is co-managed care
• Communicates and facilitates with the interdisciplinary team regarding progress to goals
• patterns or trends of data - symptoms - or findings
• concerning findings
• need for provider assessment and/or interventions
• Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care
• Assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization
• Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of complex primary care
• Collaborates in the development - implementation - evaluation - and revision of policies - procedures - and/or guidelines
• Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for the Primary Care Department and facility
• Supports colleagues and other nurses through primary care knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care
• 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 - Friday
• 8am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: MAY BE available Telework: NOT available Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: AUTHORIZED EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program
• You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment
• Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application
• Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.