Registered Nurse - Outpatient Patient Aligned Care Team

Summary

The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Outpatient Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent – evidence-based care to primary care patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate to the setting. This nurse provides direct Veteran care and care coordination to Veterans and their care within the Primary Care Department.

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 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 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)
• 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 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 formal 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 U.S. state, territory, or Commonwealth (e.g., 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 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: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Questionnaire/
• 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 – 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 needs
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and one 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 two years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2 OR a BSN and one year of professional nursing experience…