Summary 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. 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. Responsibilities The Specialty Case Management (CM) Registered Nurse (RN) executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches in providing complex patient management. Provides patient management, care coordination, and discharge/disposition planning for inpatient and outpatient settings. The CM RN assists Veterans, family members, and caregivers with receiving the most appropriate options and services to meet their complex health care needs. This includes, but is not limited to, acute, chronic, multiple, complex, catastrophic, or life-threatening illnesses; combat stress, residuals of traumatic brain injury; community adjustment; addictions and other health problems. Coordinates care with multiple providers across all levels and sites of care. The CM RN addresses psychosocial, as well as nursing and medical needs of patients and their families/caregivers, through participation in interdisciplinary patient care management practice. The CM RN also evaluates care and outcomes to ensure timely and appropriate provision of services. 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 a group of patients. Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement. Supports colleagues and other nurses through CM knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care. Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals. Evaluates CM outcomes of evidence based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations. Responsible for the documented CM outcomes at the program or service level. Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Operations & care coordination - Supports patient care across the health care continuum including inpatient and outpatient operations, including patient flow, appointment management, triage, patient education, monitoring progress toward care goals, and ensuring timely follow-up. - Participates in patient encounters as part of the interdisciplinary team to help establish and support patient goals of care. - Uses the nursing process to develop, implement, and evaluate individualized care plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team. - Collaborates closely with the interdisciplinary team to coordinate outpatient treatment plans and support treatment planning decisions. - Uses a team-based approach to triage and resolve patient care concerns. - Operates within a dynamic clinical environment requiring consistent physical presence to facilitate timely care coordination, direct patient assessment, and real-time team collaboration. Must demonstrate adaptability and the ability to provide cross-coverage across units or service lines in response to fluctuating patient volumes, staffing needs, or organizational priorities. - Maintains baseline clinic nurse competency to provide basic clinical coverage when needed to meet operational needs - including patient check-in, routine triage calls, and general patient education - during short-term absences of clinic-based RN staff, consistent with individual competency and scope of practice. Provider & consult support - Provides daily support to providers by coordinating care with community and VA facilities, ensuring necessary records, test results, and information are available for timely consultations and treatment planning. - Ensures consults are received, reviewed, and appropriately managed (including scheduling, completing e-consults, or discontinuing as appropriate) and works with clinic staff to expedite new patient consults when medically indicated. Patient communication & access - Communicates with patients about their health care options within the VA and community, following eligibility guidelines and national directives. - Works with VA Medical Centers, contracted partners, and community facilities to address barriers to accessing needed services. Strives to provide a positive patient experience through navigation of the health care system to ensure care needs are met. Continued in the Education Section. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0730-1600 Telework: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Bradley.Mauerman@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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. Preferred Experience: BSN or Higher preferred. 3-5 years nursing experience preferred. Case management experience preferred. Outpatient Nursing experience preferred. Clinic experience preferred. 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/13062768. 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: 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: Walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting. This position also requires that the staff member be able to wear a lead apron for an extended period of time. Education Continued from the Duties Section. Clinical care - Monitors adherence to treatment plans, intervenes according to clinical guidelines, documents findings accurately and timely, and communicates necessary to the care team. - Completes hands-on clinical tasks within the nursing scope of practice (including but not limited to lab draws, medication administration, dressing changes, injections and testing) based on completed competency and patient need. - Provides care and case management primarily through in-person visits, with virtual platforms and telephone interactions used as supplemental tools when clinically appropriate and operationally feasible. - Serves as a resource for clinic Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)s, Nursing Assistants (NAs) and Health technicians. Education - Provides education and mentorship to healthcare staff, including case management processes, clinic workflows, VA systems, and onboarding support for new programs and coordinators. Performance, policy & professional development - Participates in activities that support local and national performance goals. - Contributes to the development and implementation of policies and procedures related to case management and specialty care. - Maintains up-to-date knowledge and skills in case management and specialty clinical areas and applies them in practice. - Participates in clinical research or evidence-based practice initiatives related to case management or specialty care. Collaboration & program improvement - Builds collaborative working relationships within the organization and community to enhance care for patients. - Serves as a resource for team members and identifies opportunities for program improvement at the local level. Additional responsibilities - May include maintaining patient databases by reviewing consults and medical records to ensure ongoing care needs are met. - Coordinates and manages VISN-level referrals. - Facilitates surveillance and supports local, VISN, and national programs and teams. Additional duties to be assigned based on specialty service, service volume, team members, National Directives/Mandates, etc. to meet the needs of the patient. Each Specialty Service is set up independently based on volume/size and interdisciplinary team members assigned within the service. The above scope is included within but not limited to each service. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information The William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital is committed to fostering and sustaining an environment which celebrates diversity, provides equitable opportunities for employment and promotion, and supports inclusiveness in our culture. Together, we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that promote professional growth and teamwork, and are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We embrace our differences as individuals and unite as a team toward a common goal: to serve our nation's Veterans. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
