What are the responsibilities and job description for the Nurse (Care Coordinator) position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
The Nurse (Care Coordinator) demonstrates expert leadership - experience - and innovation in managing complex patient care. Provides patient management - care coordination - and discharge planning across inpatient and outpatient settings. Assists Veterans - families - and caregivers in accessing appropriate services and resources to meet complex health care needs.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
The Nurse (Care Coordinator) demonstrates expert leadership - experience - and innovation in managing complex patient care. Provides patient management - care coordination - and discharge planning across inpatient and outpatient settings. Assists Veterans - families - and caregivers in accessing appropriate services and resources to meet complex health care needs.
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/12825991
- 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/
- Preferred Experience: RN care coordination/ case management experience Physical Requirements: Light lifting - under 15 pounds
- Light carrying - under 15 pounds
- Reaching above shoulder
- Use of fingers
- Both hands required
- Walking (5 - 10 hours)
- Standing (5 - 10 hours)
- Hearing (aid may be permitted)
- Environmental Factors: Working closely with others.
- Portland is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Oregon
- Situated in the northwestern area of the state at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers
- Portland is known for having the amenities of a major city (such as an international airport - an efficient public transit system - major league sports teams and many museums and art galleries) and the charms of a small city (such as plentiful arts and crafts fairs - independent bookstores and local traditions like the annual Rose Festival Parade)
- Rain or shine - you can take advantage of the city's proximity to nature by playing in the Willamette River - wandering through lush public parks and gardens - biking the city's 162 miles (261 km) of bike lanes and hiking trails both within city limits and in the nearby Columbia River Gorge
- Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties The Care Coordinator Registered Nurse (RN) provides comprehensive care coordination for Veterans with a wide range of health conditions - including but not limited to: acute - chronic - multiple - complex - catastrophic - or life-threatening illnesses
- combat-related stress
- residuals of traumatic brain injury
- community reintegration challenges
- substance use disorders
- and other physical or mental health concerns
- Key responsibilities include: Coordinating care across multiple providers - levels - and sites of care to ensure continuity and integration of services within the VA and community-based programs
- Addressing the psychosocial - nursing - and medical needs of Veterans and their families/caregivers through active participation in interdisciplinary care teams
- Facilitating timely care from diagnosis through treatment - including managing and analyzing laboratory and radiology results and communicating findings to providers
- Utilizing population health management tools and databases to track patient care across all episodes of care
- Evaluating care delivery and patient outcomes to ensure timely - appropriate - and effective services
- Advocating for holistic - Veteran-centered care through patient and family education and provider collaboration
- Developing and implementing individualized educational plans to meet patient care needs
- Participating in the development - implementation - evaluation - and revision of clinical policies - procedures - and guidelines
- Demonstrating leadership and performance that positively impacts care for groups of patients
- Providing constructive feedback to peers and supporting colleagues through knowledge sharing to promote safe - high-quality nursing care
- Fostering a safe - supportive environment that encourages professional development among healthcare team members
- Evaluating outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals - groups - and populations
- Documenting broad and complex outcomes at the program or service level - with measurable impact across organizational levels within the facility
- 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 - between 6:00 a.m
- and 6:00 p.m.
- tour of duty varies based on organizational needs
- Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Salary : $95,284 - $160,200