Registered Nurse - Patient Aligned Care Team Outpatient at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Ad

Summary:

The Department of Veterans Affairs - Central Texas Health Care System is located in Temple, Texas, centrally located between Austin and Dallas. It is one of the VA’s largest integrated health care systems with facilities in Austin, Brownwood, Cedar Park, Palestine, Bryan‑College Station, and Waco. Texas has no State Income Tax.

Basic Requirements:
English Language Proficiency – In accordance with 38 U.S.C.7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient‑care positions unless proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) at the time the program was completed.

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 the 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).

For 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, Commonwealth (e.g., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia is required.

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.

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.
• Education Nurse I – Level
  
  II:
  Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts – cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex conditions. One year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse
  
  I – Level
  
  I required; or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required.
• Education Nurse I – Level
  
  III:
  Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning; self‑directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. Two years of professional nursing experience with one year equivalent to Nurse
  
  I – Level
  
  II; or a BSN and one year of…