Referral Nurse (Temporary)

The Registered Nurse- Referral Coordination Team position is located at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) - Nashville - TN campus in Health Informatics.

English Language Proficiency: 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).

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 a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program.

(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 (i.e. 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). 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:

Learner development for 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.

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; 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 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 a related field with a 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 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.

*It is VA policy to ensure that all selected applicants and employed personnel are physically, mentally and emotionally fit to perform the duties of the position to which assigned.

A pre‑placement physical examination is required for all full‑time, part‑time, and intermittent employees identified by VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

The examination will be concerned with the mental and physical ability of the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment and will include requisite laboratory and other screening as required by Federal regulatory agencies.

This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity.

The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.

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 organizational needs.

Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual Influenza vaccination - TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment.

The Referral Coordination Team (RCT) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for executing a streamlined approach to receiving - triaging - and directing timely - coordinated care.

The RCT RN possesses 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.

The RCT RN uses 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.

The RCT RN serves as a liaison to both internal and community providers and is responsible for managing the care of the Veteran throughout the consult process.

The RCT RN supports 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.

Preferred Experience: Minimum of 2 years surgical experience within the last 5 years and/or minimum of 2 years Medical or Surgical care coordination - case management - or consult management within the last 5 years.

VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay Scale: NG57 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); Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday 7:30 am‑4:00 pm; Telework: Ad‑hoc only; Virtual: This is not a virtual position; Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized; Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

#Department of Veterans Affairs