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.

Duties

This position provides Primary Care for Veterans under the General Medicine Service Line. The physical location is in the Primary Care Clinic at the Olympia Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) within VA Puget Sound Health Care System. The patient population ranges from adult to geriatrics. The Incumbent will demonstrate proficiency in practice, planning, and self-direction in goal setting for managing each Veteran's medical needs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Work as a critical part of the clinical team utilizing current clinical practice standards, licensure, knowledge, skills, and experience. Counsels Veterans and their families on matters relating to health and wellness, illness, disease processes, medication and treatment options based on Veterans desired health care outcomes. Identifies opportunities for process/system improvements, collaborates with leadership in developing work groups and implementation or communication strategies. Partners closely with nursing leadership, interdisciplinary team, and medical supervisors. Maintains clinical practice requirements dependent upon state licensure and national board certifying body. Attends medical staff meetings as requested, team meetings, and aids in the implementation and application of all programs as required. Provides leadership in improving patient care, maintaining standards of care, and teaching personnel in a variety of settings. Provides comprehensive care for female patients to include well woman exams. Demonstrates proficiency in practice, planning, and self-direction in goal setting for managing each Veteran's medical needs, pursuant to scope of practice for Primary Care (PA-C). Communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with customers constructively and appropriately. Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy; protect the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion; follow applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in the computer access agreement signed by the incumbent. Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy; VAPAHCS April 2008 protect the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion; follow applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in the computer access agreement signed by the incumbent. Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e-mail. Uses the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) to access information in the Medical Center Computer System. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Telework available on ad hoc basis only, determined by the needs of the service. Virtual: This is not a virtual or remote position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Education Debt Reduction Program Authorized : Contact [email protected] and [email protected], the EDRP Coordinators for questions/assistance. Learn more. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards

Requirements

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. Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner or related certificaton. Preferred Experience-2 years primary care experience 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 - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. 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 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: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), straight pulling (6 hours), pushing (2 hours), use of fingers, reaching above shoulder, walking (6 hours), standing (2 hours), repeated bending (6 hours), specific visual requirement- see computer screen, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), visual acuity 20/30. Environmental Factors: Working with hands in water, working closely with others.

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.

Contacts

• Address VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Jaimie Tappert
• Phone: (503) 220-8262 X31540
• Email: [email protected]