Registered Nurse-Ambulatory Care

Summary The Registered Nurse in Ambulatory Care is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising patient care. They assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care based on age‑specific components. They assume responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self‑management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. 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 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 Handbook5005 – AppendixG6) 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 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, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a state, territory, or commonwealth (e.g. PuertoRico) 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 Preferred Experience: Minimum two years of clinical nursing experience – preferably in primary care, ambulatory care, or family practice settings Experience working as part of an interdisciplinary team – including physicians, social workers, pharmacists, and other staff Experience with care coordination, chronic disease management, and patient education; ability to triage patients, perform telephone assessments, and respond to secure messages Prior experience in population health management (e.g., using CAN scores, registries, or proactive outreach for identified patient populations) Familiarity with the VA medical environment, electronic health records (CPRS), and VA policies/procedures (preferred but not required) Strong communication, collaboration, and conflict‑resolution skills Experience implementing evidence‑based practice and quality‑improvement initiatives; Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) preferred 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 NurseI – LevelI 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 NurseI – LevelII demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts – cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex conditions An ADN or diploma in nursing AND one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to NurseI – Level1; OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required NurseI – LevelIII 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 two years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to NurseI – Level2 OR a BSN and one year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the NurseI – Level2 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 NurseII demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others A BSN with two years of professional nursing equivalent to NurseI – Level3 OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to NurseI – Level3 OR a master’s degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to NurseI – Level3 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 NurseIII executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership – experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting MSN and two years of specialized nursing experience – one of which is equivalent to NurseII and meets all dimension requirements for NurseIII OR a master's degree in a related field with a BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience – one of which is equivalent to NurseII and meets all dimension requirements for NurseIII OR a doctoral degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to NurseII and meets all dimension requirements for NurseIII OR a doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to NurseII and meets all dimension requirements for NurseIII *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit Physical requirements: The registered nurse’s work may require encounters and care for unpredictable verbally and physically aggressive patients Completion, certification, and performance of Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) Parts 1–2–3 courses annually is a requirement for direct patient care (Part3 only applicable in areas deemed highrisk) This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity This position may require potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. The registered nurse may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off‑site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA vehicles. Duties Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex patient care Collaborates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and/or guidelines RN practice includes the roles of direct care provider, educator, administrator, researcher, consultant, leader, and advocate Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement Supports colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health‑care professionals Evaluates outcomes of evidence‑based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations Responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level Executes leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others Demonstrates expertise in decision‑making and using the nursing process for complex situations that affect performance outcomes at the point of care Practice is enhanced through development of collegial relationships Demonstrates leadership and collaboration by using the group process to solve problems The focus is on leadership in strategically planning long‑term goals for the microsystem (unit, team, or workgroup) that impacts operations or resources Demonstrates critical thinking with efficiency and accuracy in assessing and managing situations Program or service‑level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility An addendum is available for specific position duties 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‑year vesting) and federal401(k) 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: One full and unrestricted license from any US state or territory; Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday – 7:30‑16:00 or 08:00‑16:30; Virtual: This is not a virtual position #J-18808-Ljbffr