The incumbent practices in the Medicine/Nephrology Service as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) /Renal Transplant Post Coordinator to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the Veterans Affairs (VA) mission. The NP provides advanced clinical practice, consultation, and management. This position is located at Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Specialty Care Service.

Duties

The NP practices to the full extent of their education, training, and certification. Core functions are outlined in the clinical privileges that correspond with this position. The NP has prescriptive authority for a panel of patients or program as indicated by their position. The NP is a licensed independent practitioner with advanced education and national certification who provides evidence-based care for a population of patients. 1) Establishes a medical diagnosis based on comprehensive assessment 2) Makes advanced clinical decisions 3) Has DEA prescriptive authority, procedures, referrals, treatments and therapies in accordance with state and federal and laws and regulations 4) Provides leadership in coordination of multidisciplinary health care for an integrated delivery of care of the veteran 5) Facilitates/coordinates use of systems/community resources to implement and enhance care across the continuum 6) Analyzes outcomes (related to organizational care delivery and populations served) to make recommendations for improvements in care delivery systems across the care settings 7) Conducts, critically appraises or synthesizes research that discovers, examines and evaluates knowledge, theories, criteria and creative approaches to improve health care practices 8) Provides leadership in developing care models to manage chronic care issues 9) Develops and implements education programs for veterans, staff and other health care providers. 10) Assesses, engages and obtains clinical information from multi-disciplinary team, patient and/or family to develop an appropriate patient educational plan 11) Maintain knowledge of immunosuppression management and protocol adjustment of medications related to specific transplant type, co-morbid factors and time from transplant 12) Assess, plan and evaluate interventions for patient in the clinic or for those followed remotely 13) Facilitates patient's entry and exit from various health care systems by establishing and maintaining liaison with a variety of medical specialists and associated staff within this facility, other VA facilities, VA Transplant Centers and non-VA transplant facilities Clinical core privileges will include: the admission, management, treatment, ordering, performing, and interpreting labs, radiography, and other diagnostic tests, renal replacement therapy, discharge planning, and discharge for acute and chronic diseases in an adult inpatient hospice/palliative population, to include coverage through management of patients requiring subacute rehabilitation and geriatric-psychiatry inpatient care. The NP sets performance goals for the team, monitors and evaluates outcomes and performance measures, ensuring that policies, procedures and program services are consistent with professional standards and with the mission and vision of VA Hospital Transplant Programs, and VA Central Office. This includes: Activation and oversight for Quality Assessment and Improvement activities according to hospital QM policy and regulatory standards, and implementation of hospital policies regarding lodging of transplant patients, organ and tissue donation, and referral of transplantation patients to Hines VA Hospital Transplant Program. Incumbent further ensures programmatic compliance with all standards, policies, directives, mandates, and regulations, including Joint Commission, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), and other appropriate regulatory agency standards governing the standards and management of transplant programs. The NP may provide on call services for issues relating to post kidney transplant care. 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: Monday thru Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Ad-Hoc Telework may be available as determined by agency policy 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

Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), 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 the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited 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); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). 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. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) A nurse practitioner must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State, possess a master's degree from a program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE, 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 orselected.] NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12398843. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. 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. Preferred Experience: Master of Science Degree in Nursing (MSN); Doctor of Nursing Science (DNP) Preferred. 3-5 years' experience as a Nurse Practitioner with at least 1-2 years in Nephrology or Organ Transplant. National NP/APN Certification from American Nurses Association (ANA)- Required (see above Qualification Requirements) Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements: To perform in a fully successful manner, the individual must have the physical ability to perform job-related duties which require lifting, standing, bending, transferring, stooping, stretching, walking, pushing, or pulling without assistance from another patient care provider or significant other. A health examination must be successfully completed prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Employee Health Clinic policy. There will be intermittent exposure to blood and body fluids. The health care field is a very changing spectrum which requires constant updating of knowledge. It is therefore important that the incumbent participates in continuing education that will enhance health care skills and knowledge. Other duties may be assigned in support of the facilities mission.

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 Edward Hines Junior Hospital 5000 South 5th Avenue Hines, IL 60141 US
• Name: Irene Balas
• Phone: 708-640-4736
• Email: [email protected]