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

The Patient Flow Coordinator (PFC) is a nurse with clinical, interpersonal communication, and negotiation skills. Possesses extensive knowledge of the prioritization of patient flow. The primary responsibility is to assure a seamless flow/movement of patients that minimizes wait times and diversion, avoids unnecessary patient movements, and promotes timely discharge. The incumbent demonstrates the ability to use critical thinking and sound judgement in making decisions, demonstrates the ability to manage multiple and continually changing priorities, and can make rapid decisions. The incumbent serves as an expert clinical resource for patient placement. Serves as coordination contact for the Medical Administrative Assistant (MAA) and others to maintain the flow of inpatients through the levels of care within the Medical Center. The incumbent maintains current knowledge of actual and anticipated bed availability, patient census, admission cap limits, ED activities, OR activity transfer list, Critical Care activity and staffing, to facilitate admissions, transfers, and discharges. Uses clinical expertise and nursing process to triage and prioritize admissions from multiple sources, including scheduled admits, internal and external transfers, the ED and direct clinic admissions. He/she possesses intimate knowledge of VHA guidelines, clinical documentation requirements, current standards of care, and compliance guidelines. Duties include, but are not limited to: The nurse is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse's obligation to provide optimal care (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses). Independently plans and delivers technically competent consultation to interdisciplinary teams and patients with complex needs as related to patient flow. Reports equipment in need of repair (beds, telemetry monitors, etc.). Makes assignments and directs activities of other unit staff (RNs, MSAs.) Formulates and implements a plan of care based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice such as completes initial assessment of patient condition and response to treatment and initiates follow-up as needed related to inpatient admissions, transfers, and discharges (ADTs).). Documents the nursing process, such as documentation is technically informative, consistent, accurate, concise, and timely manner. Manages bed movement and flow of patients, such as monitors bed capacity, staffed beds and bed demand via the national Bed Management System (BMS) and EDIS. The incumbent also works closely with the charge nurse of the operating room (OR) to make changes in surgery scheduling, depending on patient flow and bed availability. Demonstrates grade-appropriate and consistent critical thinking skills, such as the nurse can recognize the patient has a problem that may impact level of care required and bed assignment. Role-specific Competency Checklist is complete and is rated competent in all measured areas. 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: (10 hour shifts) Monday - Friday, 9:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. and rotating weekends. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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: 2 years of acute 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 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. 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: This position requires visual acuity (including depth perception), keen hearing (aide permitted), clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity in both hands. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking (2-4 hours), standing (2-6 hours), stooping, sitting, bending, pulling (1-2 hours), and pushing (1-2 hours), intermittent lifting and carrying 0-10 pounds of light items such as paper, books, etc. Work requires use of fingers, both hands required; near vision correctable; depth perception; hearing (aide permitted.) The incumbent 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 incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. 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, COVID vaccination, annual influenza vaccine, as a condition of employment. Must be able to work closely with others, as well as protracted or irregular hours of work. Must be compliance with the use of ergonomic exercises and employee safety requirements. Must be able to physically assist with transporting patients at admission, intra-facility transfers, inter-facility transfers and discharge, to expedite patient movement and flow.

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.

Contacts

• Address Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center 2002 Holcombe Boulevard Houston, TX 77030 US
• Name: Sonia Williams
• Phone: 318-840-6458
• Email: [email protected]