Registered Nurse (Referral Coordination Team)

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program 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 review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. Qualifications 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 bodies: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 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 an 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 a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005 – Appendix G6). 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 than 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 unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. Puerto Rico) 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. Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing – 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 needs. ADN or Diploma in Nursing and 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level 1or 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. ADN or Diploma in Nursing and 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I – Level 2or a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level 2or a Master’s degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experienceor 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. BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I – Level 3or an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level 3or a Master’s degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level 3or a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experienceor a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and 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, meeting all dimension requirements for Nurse IIIor a Master’s degree in a related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience – one of which is equivalent to Nurse II, meeting all dimension requirements for Nurse IIIor a Doctoral degree in Nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II, meeting all dimension requirements for Nurse IIIor a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II, meeting all dimension requirements for Nurse III. Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit Preferred Qualifications: 3–5 years case management, 3–5 years Med/Surg nursing experience, experience in utilization management, care coordination and discharge planning. Duties The White City VA Medical Center main campus provides primary care and specialty health services – including mental health services, dentistry, laboratory services, nutritional counseling, rehabilitation programs, vision care (optometry), prosthetics and more. The Referral Coordination Team (RCT) Registered Nurse (RN) duties include: responsible for executing a streamlined approach to receiving, triaging and directing timely coordinated care. Possess intimate knowledge of the internal referral care process – clinical review criteria – utilization management standards – clinical documentation requirements – community care regulations – and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) standards and guidelines. Use nursing knowledge and systems theory to assess, organize, facilitate and guide Veterans through their full range of care options including internal/direct care in Veterans Affairs (VA) and care in the community. Serve as a liaison to both internal and community providers and is responsible for managing the care of the Veteran throughout the referral process. Support the medical center's mission to improve timely access to care, empower Veterans to make more informed care decisions and ensure eligible Veterans who want to receive care in the community are referred and scheduled into the community. Triage incoming referrals – work collaboratively within the Office of Integrated Veteran Care (IVC) to triage Request for Services (RFS) to coordinate care processes – reviewing medical documentation from community providers – communication of care coordination needs – discuss available care options – provide scheduling guidance – and be a resource within the service to provide the Veteran with the soonest and best care. Guide Veterans through their full range of care options including internal/direct care in VA and care in the community using a national standardized triage tool. Serve as the liaison between ordering or referring VA providers and specialty care services by clinically triaging consults or referrals to confirm the appropriate care is requested and all necessary pre‑work and tests are completed. Comply with VA‑mandated use of health information solutions that serve to store, exchange and track referral care information. Utilize delegation of authority – if applicable – to function at their highest level of role performance and align high‑quality care with key performance indicators to ensure business practice standards meet patient care needs. Support colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care. Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals. Evaluate outcomes of evidence‑based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups and populations. Responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level – program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility. Work closely with the Specialty Services in development of a Specialty care SOP – to triage appropriate care based on specific criteria defined by the Specialty based on the referral. The RCT Coordinator is expected to thoroughly understand the Specialties and function as an extension of each Specialty. Benefits 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 – 8:00 am–4:30 pm PST. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. EDRP: Authorized – former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. #J-18808-Ljbffr