The LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center is seeking a Full-Time Registered Nurse assigned to Medicine Service to organize and coordinate the implementation and day-to-day operation of the Close to Me Service. The Close to Me Service, sponsored by the National Oncology Program Office, provides anti-cancer therapy services at Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and patient homes to increase access points to care for Veterans.

Duties

The Close to Me Service seeks to reduce travel time for Veterans, improve VA care continuity, and provide Veteran-centric care. Studies show that transportation and travel can be the biggest financial barrier to Veterans accessing care. Furthermore, conflicts with work, other commitments, caregiver time constraints, or cost of transportation can be reasons that prevent Veterans from having the ability to travel. These barriers may hinder Veterans' abilities to receive consistent treatments and adhere to their care regimens. Close to Me (CTM) employs an innovative care model to address Veteran need for more accessible cancer care services. Duties of the CTM Registered Nurse (RN) include, but are not limited to: Travels to and from Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs)affiliated with coordinating site VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS) located in Howell, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio Coordinates patient care with local CBOC staffing outside of VAAAHS such as calling or messaging local CBOC clinic RN, Medical Support Assistants (MSAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), patients, providers Verifies labs for patients outside of VAAAHS (within VA system) and coordinating with Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Medical Doctor (MD) as needed - making sure labs within parameters Provides care and counseling of persons or in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury Performs systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching or health counseling Verifies vitals for patients at CBOC sites affiliated with coordinating site - making sure no fevers, hypotension, etc. Double checking identity via telehealth with coordinating site if needed - video/phone call live on-site with another infusion RN Engages in clinical efficiency management, including implementation of advanced clinic access principles and is responsible for ongoing evaluation and implementation of clinic efficiency enhancement (e.g. technology, scheduling, clinic operational practices) in collaboration with specialty clinic team members and physicians. Administers medications and treatments prescribed by a licensed or otherwise legally authorized provider Participates in the facilitation of access to Hematology-Oncology care in assessment of new patients, devising care plans, direct delivery of care and coordinating the disease processes and care Administers parental chemotherapy, biotherapy and hormonal therapy as well as the supportive infusions therapy of drugs and blood products Orders labs, consults and schedules appointments Transports potentially hazardous substances including waste materials and chemotherapy from Pharmacy, Infusion Center or other hospital location (e.g. clinic) - this may be done between VAAAHS and CBOC sites, or within the local CBOC site (if locally compounded and stored) Conducts quality of care assessments with patients and providers as needed - surveys for patient satisfaction, experience, preferences as part of program evaluation (primarily done by Program Manager NP) Verifies temperature of compound storage and general integrity of compounds - making sure the cooler with infusion drugs is within range at pickup, making sure that vials/bags not broken, making sure that drug color/clarity is reasonable Plays a central role in pain and symptom management, palliative care and end of life care by assessing and counseling patients and collaborating with other professions including physicians, pharmacists, social workers and other nurses Provides both team and disease based case management to patients Carries out preventive health screening including patient education, performing health screening and providing vaccinations 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-Friday; 7:30AM-4:00PM Telework: Available; Ad-hoc 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/12463346. 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: Oncology Nursing Experience Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. 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 occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. 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. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

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 Ann Arbor VA Medical Center 2215 Fuller Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105 US
• Name: Elizabeth Brogan
• Phone: (734)222-4312 X24312
• Email: [email protected]