Direct Care Nurse/Staff Nurse: Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates care based on age-specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction.

Duties

The RN will possess experience and be trained in primary care health nursing and have global knowledge of Primary Care outpatient services, as well as Medical Center and community resources. The RN will be involved in outpatient care management of patients seen in the outpatient CBOC Primary Care Health Clinic(s). The incumbent will provide nursing clinical leadership with tools to improve and sustain the quality and effectiveness of care for primary care health disorders in consultation with outpatient primary care health clinic providers. Contact with Veterans may take place individually, in groups, and by phone. Duties assigned this position include, but are not limited to: Applies problem-solving skills at the specialty level, using the team approach to identify, analyze, and resolve problems. Uses sound clinical judgment in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating nursing care. Helps the Clinic Manager/Service Chief in developing and evaluating programs for optimizing patient care in assigned areas. Frequently engages co-workers/team in active problem-solving regarding clinical issues leading to an improvement. Supports staff in providing a full range of nursing care to clients with complex care needs, assuming responsibility and accountability for nursing actions. Reinforces and clarifies policies and procedures in the areas. Uses expert clinical judgment in coordinating the delivery of care resulting in a positive impact/improvement at the program and/or Service level. Guides staff in the implementation of the nursing process and evaluation of patient care outcomes. Is innovative and self-directed in evaluating complex and sophisticated programs for optimizing patient care and enhanced management resources. Actively participates in the development of Service philosophy, objectives, policies, and procedures. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates patient care delivery system for assigned area of responsibility. Prioritizes problems and identifies specific goals. Provides guidance to others implementing patient/family teaching programs at the Service level. Attends and actively participates in mandatory training and meetings, to include staying up to-date on required TMS trainings and maintaining an active, unrestricted nursing license in an approved state or territory. Provides nursing care management for assigned Veterans in between their scheduled appointments and follow-up for missed or no-showed appointments. Helps to ensure continuity of care for assigned Veterans discharged from residential or inpatient treatment facilities (must have 4 appointments within 30 days of discharge) as well as Veterans place on a new or continued high-risk flag (must have 4 appointments, 1 a week for the 4 weeks following the flag placement/continuation). Develops a mechanism to ensure that nursing care is being delivered in a timely and appropriate manner in accordance with Nursing policies procedures, and standards of Nursing practice and practitioner's orders. Advocates for patient's rights with other healthcare providers as necessary and encourages staff to act as patient advocates. Is familiar with the facility policy for Medical Urgencies (Nursing Alerts) and participates appropriately. Identifies potential for unsafe patient and/or staff situations and initiates appropriate interventions. Leads appropriate crisis prevention/intervention for patients exhibiting at risk behavior(s). Ensures compliance with infection prevention policies/procedures, safety measures, and computer security. 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-Fri 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available 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.) 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/12424411. 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: Primary Care Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs), moderate carrying (15-44 lbs), straight pulling (1 hr), pushing (2 hrs), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (4 hrs), standing (2 hrs), kneeling (1 hr), repeated bending (3 hrs), both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of color, hearing (aid permitted), emotional and mental stability. Environmental Factors: Outside and inside, dry atmospheric conditions, fumes, smoke or gases, radiant energy, electrical energy, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working with hands in water, vibration, working closely with others, working alone, protracted irregular hours of work, working with hazardous drugs.

Contacts

• Address Anchorage VA Medical Center 1201 North Muldoon Road Anchorage, AK 99504 US
• Name: Shelly Graham
• Phone: 503 220-8262 X55320
• Email: [email protected]