Registered Nurse - Outpatient Patient Aligned Care Team

Summary

The Patient Aligned Care Team Outpatient (PACT) Registered Nurse (RN) leads and coordinates complex primary care - providing sex-specific direct Veteran care - care coordination - and panel management using registries. Promotes health education - wellness coaching - chronic disease prevention - and collaborates on policy and procedure development - implementation - evaluation - and revision. Demonstrates leadership - experience - and innovation in care delivery.

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/12973423
• 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
• *Preferred Experience: : Minimum of 1 year RN experience in an inpatient hospital setting
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Functional requirements include ability to climb stairs
• frequent walking - standing - kneeling - repeated bending - and squatting
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - invasive procedures - or home settings
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment.
  
  

Duties

• Major Duties Include - but are not limited to: Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process in patient care delivery
• Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age-specific needs
• Coordinates care focusing on patient education and self-management
• Ensures customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care
• Administers medications per established policies and guidelines
• Performs clinical procedures in accordance with policy
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes
• Provides direct - sex-specific care and care coordination to Veterans
• Manages assigned patient panels utilizing care registries
• Ensures proper evaluation and access for patient panels
• Delivers health promotion and wellness education
• Coaches patients on disease prevention and chronic care management
• Participates in policy - procedure - and guideline development and evaluation
• Provides constructive feedback to peers for improvement
• Shares primary care knowledge to support colleagues and safe nursing care
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment for health care professional development
• Evaluates outpatient outcomes based on evidence-based practice changes
• Documents and tracks PACT outcomes at program/service level
• Demonstrates leadership that improves care for Primary Care Department and facility
• Flexible with scheduling and assignments as needed
• Maintains physical ability for prolonged walking - standing - sitting - lifting - bending - kneeling
• Utilizes safe patient handling and mobility protocols
• Stands for significant periods assisting assigned patients
• Responsible to assigned supervisors and accountable to ADPCS
• Adheres to VA qualification standards for Nurse III
• Demonstrates expertise in professional practice using the nursing process
• Leads and organizes care delivery ensuring continuity and peer accountability
• Applies advanced clinical knowledge to lead staff involvement and decision-making
• Leads staff in planning and outcome evaluation
• Makes improvements in nursing practice with outcomes beyond immediate setting
• Leads initiatives to improve Veteran experience - satisfaction - and safety
• Advocates for Veteran health - safety - and rights
• Identifies - analyzes - and addresses ethical issues impacting patients and staff
• Models high reliability principles and VA \"I CARE\" values
• Promotes consistent information and courteous communication to all customers
• Handles conflict constructively and appropriately with patients and staff
• Provides care/services appropriate to patients' age and developmental needs
• Assesses and interprets patient information to meet age-specific requirements
• Demonstrates knowledge of changes related to aging and provides age-appropriate care
• Ensures staff training in age - development - and lifestyle categories
• Recognizes and assists with lifestyle adjustments - risk factors - and strengths in all age groups
• Assists late maturity patients to stay active and maintain independence
• Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data
• Complies with Privacy Act and VA regulations regarding data security
• Follows procedures for electronic file access and security
• Performs duties with flexibility to accommodate PACT and facility needs
• Leads educational initiatives for staff and professional growth
• Guides and mentors other nursing professionals formally and informally
• Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams using critical thinking
• Integrates evidence-based practice/research with clinical expertise for quality care improvement 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 - 8am to 430pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized