Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Geriatric Care Coordination Team

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Geriatric Care Coordination Team (GCCT) Provider role focuses on providing care management and coordination for elderly Veterans with high Care Assessment Need scores who reside in the community. The primary duty is to assess and regularly reassess the needs of geriatric Veterans and their Caregivers. The applicant must evaluate the overall care needs of their patients, providing continued medical assessment, teaching patients and Caregivers how to manage care in the home, and engage with other healthcare professionals to ensure appropriate and quality care is delivered to the Veterans. The Geriatric Care Coordination Teams patient panel will consist of Veterans who were lost to follow up and have not had or continued care within the VA Bedford HCS. Once on the patient panel, the GCCT Provider assists in coordinating all care for the Veteran with the goal of successfully transitioning each Veterans ongoing care to either the PACT or HBPC service within the VA Bedford HCS. Direct medical care will be required for chronic disease management, medication management, and patient education. Collaboration with and communication to other healthcare team members, including social workers and nurses, is essential to ensure quality care is delivered to Veterans. The ideal GCCT Provider candidate will have strong communication skills to effectively engage with patients, Caregivers, and team members and be capable of articulately narrating patient assessments to other providers. Strong critical thinking and medical assessment skills, coupled with a patient-centered approach and empathy, are the necessary qualities. As a GCCT Provider, the applicant will be integral towards directing care for enrolled Veterans, continually evaluating their needs and those of their Caregivers to provide medical care successfully in the home. The GCCT Provider will also be imperative to the program by reviewing systems processes and initiating system level changes for the betterment of the veterans within the program. This critical role necessitates a problem-solver with solid clinical skills capable of working independently while being an integral part of a larger healthcare team. Duties include, but are not limited to: – Demonstrating medical competencies in areas such as geriatric care, chronic disease management, and medication management. – Functioning autonomously, as well as a member of an interdisciplinary team. – Respecting cultural and spiritual values. – Following evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the management of common medical conditions in older adults. – Determining the appropriateness of patients for admission into the GCCT Program. – Helping to develop patient treatment plans based on a comprehensive interdisciplinary assessment of the patient and the caregiver. – Implementing the patients treatment plan through home visits or telehealth visits. – Reviewing the patients progress as a team at regular intervals, at least twice weekly, or when there is a change in the patients condition. – Assessing and supporting the caregivers capability to continue to provide care. – Educating the patient and the caregiver. – Coordinating the process of care with the other team members to maximize efficiency. – Assessing the patients continuing need for GCCT care and planning for GCCT discharge when indicated. – Participating in GCCT team meetings. – Performing cross-coverage of other GCCT divisions as needed and other duties as assigned by the healthcare team leader. 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, 8:00 am-4:30 pm Telework: 1 Day per Month Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Karen.Chapman@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notification: This position is in the Excepted Service. May be required to attend conference at other facilities or other VA sites on occasion. The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will recommend the grade and salary for new appointments based on the candidates education and experience. For internal selectees being promoted, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy. This position is a NAGE Bargaining Unit position. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. May be subject to satisfactory completion of our credentialing process. Selectee must have a valid unrestricted driving license. 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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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 approved 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidates graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Nurse Practitioners. A nurse practitioner must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State, possess a masters 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 or selected.] Preferred Experience: Preferred candidates for the position would possess a minimum of 3 years of nursing experience in geriatrics and data analysis/ interpretation, demonstrate program development and management skills, and obtain and maintain relevant certifications and licensure/registration. Certification required from American Academy of Nurse Practitioners(AANP) or American Nurses Credentialing Center(ANCC). Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I – An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II – An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelors degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III – An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelors degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Masters degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II – A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelors degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Masters degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III – Masters degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. 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. Physical Requirements: This position may require 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. 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. The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission On Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Verification of accreditation may be obtained from http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm or https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp.-If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.-If your school was accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.