Registered Nurse - Western Market Renal Case Management

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 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 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 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 that 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., Puerto Rico) 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.

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: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13098868.

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. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex.

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. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations.

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 additional 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 related field with 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 and 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. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Preferred experience

Case management experience, and renal experience.

Physical Requirements

The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.

The Renal Case Manager nurse ensures that the delivery of care is provided in accordance with establish standards and Medical Center policies and procedures and is consistent with the plan of other health care providers. The incumbent will ensure that all patient care needs are met in a safe, efficient, and timely manner which meets acceptable standards of care and expectations within the Renal service line and set forth by Medical Center policies and procedures pertaining to this position.

The incumbent will continuously evaluate processes and identify opportunities for improvement and utilizing systems redesign principles to improve care and services. The incumbent is responsible for quality and performance measures in the clinic and is expected to stay current and informed of all VA, Joint Commission, National, State, and local standards, regulations, and requirements.

The incumbent provides input for Medical Center, program, and clinic policies and procedures and provides leadership in identifying and addressing ethical issues that impact patients and staff. The incumbent will ensure excellent customer service and will act as the first line patient advocate in response to any complaint or concerns with the clinic.

This position may include other clinical or administrative assignments necessary to meet the mission of the Renal specialty service line as well as cover other clinic locations, at the discretion of the Renal team. They will work in collaboration with Referral Coordination Initiative Unit (RCI) RN's to retain Veteran's care through the VA.

The Renal Case Manager nurse will use the nursing process and evidence-based practice to collaborate with the team, expanded team and program leadership in developing the patient-driven care plan and patient-populations program plans and programmatic process improvement initiatives. The incumbent is responsible for collaborating with services internal and external to the VA to facilitate care transition and program(s) continuous improvement to effectively meet the patients' needs.

The incumbent provides patient and family health education. The incumbent demonstrates leadership by serving as an advocate for patients, and a team/program(s) leader with colleagues and she/he continues to enhance his/her own and the team's professional growth, development, and practice. This is a nonsupervisory position of responsibility that comes with clinical and administrative duties and responsibilities.

The incumbent will be responsible for recommending diagnostic testing needs, medication adjustments, whole life management, and other aspects of the overall treatment planning to the necessary clinicians within the Renal team. The incumbent is also responsible for other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or leadership.

Responsible for care routing activities within Renal services to the RCI team in a manner that successfully integrates the patient input into the care, using patient eligibility to assist the Veteran in determining the care environment based on the availability of services, timeliness, and best interest of the patient. This determination is based on clinical input, patient choice and Mission Act authorization and eligibilities.

The Renal Nurse Case Manager and support staff with work with the Referral Coordination Unit RN to assist the patient in determining the best care option available to them, taking into consideration their clinical presentation, services available in both physical distances, and wait times at VA Pittsburgh and other Western Market facilities, or through care in the community.

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 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) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Telework: ADHOC Telework may be available at the discretion of the hiring manager. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized