Registered Nurse - Nursing Surgical Specialty

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Surgical Specialty Clinic / Care Coordinator applies advanced clinical knowledge and judgement to deliver high-quality and evidence-based care to veterans and their families. This role includes completing assessments and ensuring accurate documentation in electronic health record in accordance to established policies and procedures

RN NG57 pay scale Note to VA Employees:
Grades and steps will be unaffected by this change but could result in a change to your current salary due to different pay scales. The Surgical Care Coordinator (SCC) is a vital member of the Surgical Specialty Service responsible for coordinating safe, timely, and patient-centered perioperative care for Veterans undergoing surgical procedures.

The SCC ensures readiness for surgery, collaborates across multidisciplinary teams, and guides Veterans throughout the pre-operative and post-operative process. The Surgical Care Coordinator provides direct operational support to surgical specialty clinics, ensuring smooth daily flow, safe patient care, and consistent communication across teams.

Responsibilities include:

Cross-coverage for high-volume or understaffed surgical clinics, collaborating with nurse managers to stabilize clinic workloads, coordinating with clinic LPNs and RNs to maintain efficient patient movement, reinforce coverage plans, and minimize clinic flow disruptions. The Care Coordinator Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care.

Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.

Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs. Duties include but are not limited to Providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients. Provides patient management, care coordination, and discharge/disposition planning for inpatient and outpatient settings.

The Care Coordinator assists Veterans, family members, and caregivers with receiving the most appropriate options and services to meet their complex health care needs. This includes, but is not limited to, acute, chronic, multiple, complex, catastrophic, or life-threatening illnesses; combat stress, residuals of traumatic brain injury; community adjustment; addictions and other health problems. Coordinates care with multiple providers across all levels and sites of care.

Coordination also includes assuring services interface within the Veterans Affairs (VA) and community programs to provide continuity of care to patients. Addresses psychosocial, as well as nursing and medical needs of patients and their families/caregivers, through participation with the interdisciplinary care team. Coordinates and expedites care from diagnosis to treatment. Analyzes and manages laboratory and radiology results and provides information to the providers.

Utilizes databases to provide population management to track patient care through all episodes of care. Evaluates care and outcomes to ensure timely and appropriate provision of services. Advocates for holistic care through patient/family education and provider interaction and implements an educational plan to meet the patient care needs. Demonstrates leadership in…