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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Nurse Practitioner - Lung Cancer Coordinator EDRP Approved Near El Paso, TX

Qualifications:

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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. 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.
• Master's or Doctoral Degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission (ACEN-Formerly NCLAC) or the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• 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.
• Nurse Practitioners must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected.

Preferred Experience and Certifications -

• Experience in case management for patients with lung masses and lung nodules.
• Able to carefully track and monitor patients to ensure imaging, biopsies and all tests are completed, and result documented and reported to the patient.
• Prior experience to identify patient needs, issues, resources and care goals.
• Experience with the inter-disciplinary team to manage patients with lung masses including Pulmonary, CT Surgery, Pathology Conference, Tumor Boars, etc.

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 III - Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse II - 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 regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required.

Reference: 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: Requires frequent movement around the hospital and the medical and surgical offices.

Responsibilities:

The Pulmonary Section Nurse Practitioner (NP) is responsible for identifying and facilitating options and services for meeting patients' health needs while decreasing fragmentation and duplication of care and enhancing quality, cost-effective clinical outcomes. He/she collaborates with internal interdisciplinary team members to initiate referrals, access resources and to problem-solve clinical and/or social issues, related to care plan development and/or implementation. The NP also interacts with external fee providers and agencies, Department of Defense partners, and other community providers and agencies to identify and coordinate services not available through El Paso Veterans Health Care System (EPVAHCS). The Pulmonary Section NP reports directly to the Section Chief, Pulmonary who in turn reports to the Chief of Medicine Service who in turn reports to the Chief of Staff with a matrix to the Associate Director for Patient Care Services (Nurse Executive) for nursing practice oversight.

In addition to the observance of Federal national and local regulatory, policy, and accreditation requirements governing this Health Care System, the incumbent must be efficient in the performance of the following procedures and techniques and be capable of lucidly demonstrating
their application:
- Identifies patient population and individual patients in need of case management services for lung related conditions
- Identifies post COVID patient population and individual patients in need of case management services for lung related conditions
- Carefully tracks and monitors patients to ensure imaging, biopsies and all tests are completed, and results documented and reported to the patient
- Assesses patients to identify needs, issues, resources and care goals, and identifies resources and critical factors for achieving desired outcomes for discharge, post hospitalization recovery and/or health maintenance/improvement
- Analyzes initial assessment data and coordinates with the interdisciplinary team to (via Pulmonary Pathology Conference or Tumor Board) develop a plan for appropriate level of care that addresses patients' special needs
- Educates patient and/or family on specific needs that will facilitate their participation in the plan of care
- Evaluates and revises the plan based on changing patient needs, barriers to care and availability of resources
- Refers, consults, and makes provision for continuing care with healthcare providers i.e. Thoracic Surgery, Radiation/Oncology, Medical/Oncology, Social Work and Mental Health
- Works closely with the Pulmonary Consult and Pulmonary Procedure Teams
- Assists with arranging and scheduling of bronchoscopies, pleurx placement, thoracentesis, trach changes and other procedures as needed
- Assists with discharge planning of patients seen by the pulmonary inpatient consult

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards

Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:45 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Job Summary