Registered Nurse (PACT)

Summary

The Registered Nurse Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Outpatient Staff Registered Nurse (RN) carries out responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to managing complex primary care. This nurse provides gender-specific direct Veteran care and care coordination - as appropriate - for Veterans receiving care within the VA Healthcare System.

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:
• 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: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• Preferred Experience: Preferred previous VA experience documenting in CPRS Physical Requirements: The Registered Nurse (RN) must be able to perform all duties of the position without restriction
• This role involves considerable standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting - and turning
• It requires repositioning patients and assisting with transfers to wheelchairs or stretchers
• Mechanical devices - when available - must be used for heavy or difficult-to-lift patients
• The work may involve pushing or lifting more than 50 pounds and navigating flights of stairs
• The position requires visual and auditory acuity sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care
• The RN must be able to work for periods with arms above shoulder level or with the neck in a fully flexed or extended position - and must be capable of physically controlling or protecting themselves from physically abusive patients
• The RN may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation settings and during operative or invasive procedures
• The RN may occasionally encounter patients who are combative due to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The RN must be a mature - flexible - and sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and adjusting priorities based on patient needs.

Duties

• Welcome to VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System Colorado delivers it all - iconic national parks - breathtaking trails - vibrant cultural hotspots - and family-friendly attractions
• From the Rockies to Denver's museums - it's the perfect blend of adventure - beauty - and unforgettable experiences
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of complex primary care
• Provides sex-specific direct Veteran care and care coordination - as it pertains - to Veterans and their care within the Primary Care Department
• Manages assigned panel(s) - utilizes registries - and ensures appropriate evaluation and access is provided to patient panels
• Provides health promotion - health education and coaching on wellness - disease prevention - and chronic care management
• Collaborates in the development - implementation - evaluation - and revision of policies - procedures - and/or guidelines
• Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for the Primary Care Department and facility
• Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Supports colleagues and other nurses through primary care knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals
• Evaluates outpatient outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for primary care individuals - groups - and populations
• Responsible for the documented PACT outcomes at the program or service level
• Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Insurance: May be eligible for Health Insurance and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) if expected to work over 130 hours per month for 90 days
• Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Intermittent - Monday-Friday between 7:30am and 4:00pm
• Rotating days to be discussed with supervisor
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Yes - this position is authorized for telework-situational (ad-hoc) AND has not been authorized as remote
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Educational Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized This is an intermittent RN position
• The position may work up to full-time hours
• Benefits may differ from those offered to full-time employees
• Please contact your HR representative for more information.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.