Career Center

The incumbent practices as a RN and applies the nursing process to assure appropriate medical necessity, appropriate care coordination and timely utilization of non-VA health care services. The incumbent demonstrates a high level of clinical practice, knowledge, and leadership skills to improve patient access, flow, and positively impact the facility utilization of services. As a clinical reviewer he/she serves as the clinical liaison with medical center staff, and internal customers. 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. Education: Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant. [NOTE: See exception in subparagraph (b) below for candidates who are enrolled in a MSN Bridge Program.] The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), previously known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) OR The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 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. In these programs, students are given a certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX and should submit this certification to VA prior to appointment. Students do not earn a BSN, but receive a MSN degree upon completion of course work. A copy of the MSN transcript must be provided to VA. Bridge programs that confer a master's degree also fully meet the education requirement, even though a Bachelor's Degree is not awarded. OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. Registration: A registered nurse (RN) will have a current, full, active and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the U.S. or in the District of Columbia. The appointing official may waive this registration if the RN is to serve in a country other than the U.S. and the RN has registration in that country (e.g., Philippines). The RN must maintain a current, full, active and unrestricted registration to continue employment with VA. English Language Proficiency: RNs appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse II A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR A 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 in nursing or related field and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires the nurse to read printed material and distinguish colors, such as reading doctor's orders and visualizing the hue of a patient's skin, wounds, etc., and conduct visual inspections during patient assessment, including the ability to accurately perceive depth so as to move around work space safely and to appropriately make contact with Veterans. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required, exerting up to 35 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 15 pounds of force to frequently move objects. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The nurse may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The nurse may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The nurse must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. This includes but is not limited to the ability to work independently, ability to recognize situations beyond function/knowledge/training and request appropriate assistance. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The nurse who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Nurse 2 Duties Utilizes comprehensive knowledge of advanced clinical practice and case management principles to assess appropriate level of care and to ensure compliance with established Fee authorities and guidelines resulting in approvals and/or denials for non-VA care. Conducts clinical reviews to interpret and evaluate complex data directly related to diagnosis, condition, and treatment to assure appropriate medical necessity, appropriate care coordination and timely utilization of non-VA health care services. Applies knowledge of adult and geriatric disease entities and current accepted treatment modalities to establish conformance with criteria for non-VA services and expenditures. Demonstrates knowledge of complex automated data processing systems and their application for communication and data management. (e.g., VISTA, CPRS, VHA Intranet, VSSC, Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook). Communicates effectively both orally and in writing with professional, administrative and technical staff within the medical center and non-VA organizations and/or providers as needed to coordinate non-VA services. Promotes excellence in customer service, internal/external, by incorporating the VHA Core Values (Trust, Respect, Commitment, Compassion, and Excellence) into daily practice and performance. Consistently models professional conduct in routine and stressful situations. Demonstrates knowledge and/or required safety skills in area of assignment and, when appropriate, in the following: emergency preparedness plan, hazardous materials, fire plan, equipment failure emergency plans, and utility outage response procedures for their area. Nurse 3 Duties The Patient Care Coordinator (Nurse Expeditor) demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. The Scope of Practice is defined by the dimensions outlined in the VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G6 and specific to the grade and level for an RN. The dimensions of focus are: Utilizes comprehensive knowledge of advanced clinical practice and case management principles to assess appropriate level of care and to ensure compliance with established Fee authorities and guidelines resulting in approvals and/or denials for non-VA care. Conducts clinical reviews to interpret and evaluate complex data directly related to diagnosis, condition, and treatment to assure appropriate medical necessity, appropriate care coordination and timely utilization of non-VA health care services. Applies knowledge of adult and geriatric disease entities and current accepted treatment modalities to establish conformance with criteria for non-VA services and expenditures. Utilizes applicable technical skills in establishing, evaluating, modifying and maintaining tracking methods for data retrieval and for ensuring accurate meaningful reporting system. Demonstrates knowledge of complex automated data processing systems and their application forcommunication and data management. (e.g., VISTA, CPRS, VHA Intranet, VSSC, Microsoft Word,Excel and Outlook) Analyzes data, compiles findings, and clearly communicates care coordination outcome datasystematically as requested to assess need for improvement in organizational processes. Assumes leadership responsibility in providing direct support for the development, coordination maintenance and operation for clinical care coordination within the Fee program at the facility leveland/or VISN level. Assumes leadership for continuity and timeliness of the clinical review activities, coordination with Fee program processes, and resolution of problems to maximize team efforts. Communicates effectively both orally and in writing with professional, administrative and technical staff within the medical center and non-VA organizations and/or providers as needed to coordinate non-VA services. Promotes excellence in customer service, internal/external, by incorporating the VHA Core Values (Trust, Respect, Commitment, Compassion, and Excellence) into daily practice and performance. Consistently models professional conduct in routine and stressful situations. Demonstrates knowledge and/or required safety skills in area of assignment and, when appropriate, in the following: emergency preparedness plan, hazardous materials, fire plan, equipment failure emergency plans, and utility outage response procedures for their area. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 11:30am to 8:pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]