This position is within the Caregiver Support Program (CSP) - Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), which provides a state-of-the-art continuum of services, education, and resources to caregivers of Veterans with complex needs. The CSP falls under Social Work Service and the CSP Nurse would report to the Caregiver Support Program Manager.

Duties

As a member of the CSP, the RN has the responsibility for expert knowledge of eligibility criteria for the PCAFC, day-to-day operation of the program, and all reporting requirements. The CSP Nurse provides clinical evidence-based services and interventions for the caregiver and Veteran; education and consultation for the caregiver, Veteran, and staff on caregiver issues; community outreach; resource development; continuous quality improvement activities; and the evaluation of caregiver issues. In addition, the RN must be a skilled communicator capable of developing effective partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies as well as non-governmental organizations. The Registered Nurse (RN) will function in support of caregivers, Veterans, and family members throughout the medical center and in community settings. The RN will assist in application processing including completion of psychosocial assessments with Veteran and Caregiver(s). The RN will conduct interim and annual home visits to Family Caregivers approved in the program and will provide assessment via phone and clinical video telehealth. The purpose of the in-home assessment is to support the caregiver, facilitate the identification of caregiver stress, psychiatric illness, emotional distress, and social needs as treatment issues. Professional judgment, including the knowledge of normal and abnormal behavior, is an inherent competency applied in daily interactions with caregivers and the Veterans they care for. The RN participates, as needed; in caregiver support activities in the local community and state to promote and recognize the role of the caregiver. Maintains basic knowledge of local VA medical center programs, community services and VA Central Office caregiver support initiatives. The RN is responsible for developing and establishing linkages and collaborate on VA caregiver support efforts with community healthcare and social service agencies. The RN possesses advanced knowledge and understanding of the services and benefits available for caregivers from both federal, state, and private sector resources. Duties include but are not limited to: Travel throughout the Durham VA Health Care System Service Area. Ensure that Veteran/caregiver dyads reside in safe environments in compliance with local housing codes. Conduct psychosocial assessments with Veteran/caregiver dyads. Perform accountability functions: A) Collect and submit data into the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) as mandated by CSP standards. B) Document all contacts with Veterans/caregivers in the medical charts; C) As deemed necessary, complete statistical and other reports in accordance with VA Health Care and respective professional discipline service policies; D) Enter data for tracking purposes into CSP data entry system. Consistently demonstrate effective communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with all internal and external customers and stakeholders to improve the provision of caregiver services and resolve differences of opinion. Utilize caregiver support protocol (e.g., resources, education, and training) sensitive to the issues of the caregivers who are providing care to Veterans in collaboration with other clinical staff and programs. Provide comprehensive services to Veterans/caregivers and their families. 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: Mon-Fr; 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. (Hours may vary dependent upon program needs) Telework: May be available at the discretion of the Service Chief or equivalent Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. 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. 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. 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. Preferred Experience/Qualification(s): Minimum of 2 years successful practice as a Registered Nurse. Prior evidence of working with the Veteran Population. Prior experience working in the community setting including conducting home visits (including visiting homes with pets) and providing telehealth and phone services. Knowledge of mental health issues common in Veteran populations (i.e., PTSD, TBI, SUD). Demonstrated ability to work on an interdisciplinary work area and collaborate in program planning and development. Documented evidence of successful professional practice with progressively complex patients and/or assignments. Demonstrated ability to use computer systems in support of patient care delivery. Demonstrated excellence in written/verbal communication, and time management. 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 I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is Nurse III 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, both legs and repeated bending. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours); Pushing (up to 4 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 8 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters; Correctable vision :20/40 in one eye; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders; Emotional and Mental Stability: 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, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

Education

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.

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission On Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Verification of accreditation may be obtained from CCNE - Accredited Programs (ccnecommunity.org) or Search ACEN Accredited Nursing Programs (acenursing.com)

• If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
• If your school was accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Contacts

• Address Durham VA Medical Center 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC 27705 US
• Name: Tierra White
• Phone: 919-827-2514
• Email: [email protected]