The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a professional nurse with advanced clinical knowledge and competence to provide professional assessment, coordination, and planning of multiple health care services. The Incumbent is accountable for the management and evaluation of patients under incumbents care. The incumbent holds clinical privileges and practices in collaboration with the Primary Care and Community Clinics Service (PCCCS).

Duties

The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a professional nurse with advanced clinical knowledge and competence PACT NP will report directly to a supervisor who reports to the Chief of PCCCS. Duties: Clinical core privileges include: the management, treatment, and ordering, performing, and interpreting labs, radiography, and other diagnostic tests for acute and chronic medical conditions of adult outpatient primary care population. The PACT NP manages a panel of patients from young adult through the elderly throughout the continuum of primary care; acute, chronic and preventative care. The Incumbent works seamlessly with the PACT team comprised of a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse and a medical support assistant to provide team based care to the patient allowing each team member to work at the top of their license or job scope. The PACT NP may also care for patients through MyHealtheVet web site secure messaging or by telephone communication. The PACT NP follows national guidelines and processes to execute core clinical privileges. The incumbent may request additional delineated privileges per Credentialing and Privileging policy and regulation. The incumbent examines patients and establishes a medical diagnosis by patient history, physical examination and relevant data such as laboratory and radiographic studies. The NP is responsible for ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies to identify, develop and implement a plan of care for patient medical need. The Incumbent consults and acquires, and coordinates services based on the patient need and demonstrates sound decision making skills in determining plan of care and recognizes when patients are beyond their education, credentialing and responsibilities and arrange for transfer to appropriate provider or service. The PACT NP prescribe and dispenses medication in accordance with Arizona Board of Nursing Practice Act, SAVAHCS policies the Drug Enforcement (DEA) Act. DEA registration is required. The PACT NP also adheres to VHA and SAVAHCS documentation and compliance standards. The scope of service coordination will be throughout the continuum of care to assure that care is timely, appropriate, of high quality and cost effective. In addition, the PACT NP coordinates care to the PACT refers patients to their PACT team for follow up care as needed. Follow up diagnostic studies in addition to the acute needs for diagnosis and treatment will be referred again to the assigned PACT panel for ongoing care management services. The incumbent will provide a leadership role in the department that includes innovation, consultation, advocacy, accountability, and responsibility for improved SAVAHCS Primary Care services and participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of quality improvement in Primary and Community Clinics. The incumbent will make appropriate recommendations or changes in practice based on feedback and data collected on patients and assume accountability as a NP by accepting responsibility as a care provider, recognizing own abilities and limitations, and consistently seeks guidance and learning experiences that provide professional and personal growth. Current certification: Current Certification as a Nurse Practitioner from American Nurse Credentialing Center (AACN) or American Academy Nurse Practitioner Certifying Board (AANP): Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) 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: 7:00AM-5:30PM Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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: 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: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), The ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs, including clinical doctorate, masters/post-master's certificate, baccalaureate, associate and diploma nursing education programs. (NOTE: The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission/NLNAC changed its name to ACEN in May 2013 ACEN's website may be utilized to verify accredited programs using automated inquiry processes; however, for verification of any nursing program's accreditation prior to 1998, an automated inquiry cannot be used and ACEN must be contacted directly via their email contact information on the ACEN website to verify.); or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), The CCNE is an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and accredits nursing education programs at the bachelor and master's level. Current certification: Current Certification as a Nurse Practitioner from American Nurse Credentialing Center (AACN) or American Academy Nurse Practitioner Certifying Board (AANP): Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) License. All APNs (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full and unrestricted APN license to practice as a NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in this occupational series and APN (NP) assignment that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and II-G6a-4 licensure/certification. Other provisions apply see Appendix G-6a. APN (Nurse Practitioner) II Scope. Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. Education and Experience Requirement. Meets basic education requirement for APN (CNS). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required. Dimension Requirement. APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population or program. Outcome Focus. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care. Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice. Professionalism/Collegiality. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes. APN (Nurse Practitioner) III: Scope. Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care. Education and Experience Requirement. Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP).AND One year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. Dimension Requirement. APNs (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population or program. Outcome Focus. Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations. Leadership. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population or program. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility. Professionalism/Collegiality. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population or program level. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6a Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted.

Education

APNs (NPs) are credentialed and privileged to provide care based upon scope of practice, formal graduate nursing educational preparation, certification and patient population. It is the focus of care based on patient care needs, not the care setting, that defines the provider's scope of practice and basic certification required. The scope of practice is determined by the provider's formal academic education and basic Nurse Practitioner certification.

Contacts

• Address Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Elena Gonzalez
• Phone: 858-623-1850
• Email: [email protected]