Summary

Accountable for all aspects of the nursing program in Home Based Primary Care. Demonstrates initiative and leadership in designing - implementing and evaluating programs and services for HBPC. Assumes accountability for the administration and evaluation of the delivery of care - HBPC functions and programs - and the management of human resources for HBPC. Works as a member of the interdisciplinary team to ensure programmatic needs are met.

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/12721642
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Home Health and Nursing Leadership
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: A physical examination will be required if selected for this position.

Duties

• DUTIES MAY INCLUDE HOWEVER ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: Responsible for ensuring adequate staffing for assigned area(s) of accountability including staffing and participating in the interviewing and selection of new employees to fill vacancies
• Develops and revises unit-based program policies and procedures - and participates in nursing committees - task forces and work groups to improve nursing practice
• Identifies the educational needs of staff on assigned unit(s) and ensures that these needs are addressed
• Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as the customer service program Responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse's obligation to provide optimal outpatient care
• Provides direct Veteran care and care coordination - as it pertains - to Veterans and their care within the HBPC Program to a small panel of patients
• Responsible for case management - assessment - triage - Veteran education - resource coordination - medication and treatment coordination - and care planning
• Plans and delivers technically competent care in the home of Veterans with complex needs - including health promotion - health prevention - geriatric care - primary care - and palliative care
• Utilizes interventions - which maximize health capabilities and reduces unnecessary urgent care and emergency room visits - per Veteran's goals of care
• Makes home visits to Veterans in the program
• Focus is on individual growth and development in HBPC nursing practice with increased levels of self-direction
• Brings HBPC principles and theory with limited application of critical thinking skills
• Works with close supervision - is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and seeks direction from others as needed
• Establishes a therapeutic relationship - allowing the patient to attain - maintain or regain optimal function through assessment and treatment
• Engages patients - families - and other caregivers to incorporate knowledge - values - and beliefs into care planning without judgement or discrimination
• Knowledgeable of ethical issues related to professional nursing practice and follows established policies of the practice setting - VA - and ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses
• Aware of high reliability principles to deliver consistent care and improve patient outcomes
• Demonstrates positive - effective communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with internal and external customers
• Applies evidence-based practice/research to patient care
• Participates in unit-based activities to improve and deliver cost effective patient care
• Consistently communicates and treats the Veteran and as appropriate the Veteran's family - caregiver and/or significant other - the Veteran representatives - visitors to VA facilities - all VA staff - and other customers in a courteous - tactful - and respectful manner
• Reports all known information security incidents or violations to the supervisor and/or the Information Security Officer immediately
• Reports all known privacy incidents or violations to the Privacy Officer immediately
• Working as a member of the interdisciplinary team to ensure programmatic needs are met
• Responsible for ensuring adequate staffing for assigned area(s) of accountability including staffing and participating in the interviewing and selection of new employees to fill vacancies
• Develops and revises unit-based program policies and procedures - and participates in nursing committees - task forces and work groups to improve nursing practice
• Identifies the educational needs of staff on assigned unit(s) and ensures that these needs are addressed
• Managing program SOP and activities to include - but not limited to - performance improvement - patient safety - utilization review - emergency preparedness - and staff safety
• Coordinating training and educational programs
• Processing - assigning - and monitoring referrals to HBPC to ensure timely access and care coordination Collaborating with appropriate data and technology departments to ensure accurate HBPC clinical - administrative - and workload data
• 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