The Registered Nurse-Cancer Care Navigator position is located at our West Haven, CT campus. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.
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/12722372. 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. Preferred Experience: BSN preferred; Oncology certification such as OCN or ONN-CG preferred; 3-5 years clinical experience preferred; oncology experience preferred; Excellent customer service skills; Ability to utilize clinical skills and expertise to conduct and assess complex discussions; Ability to clearly explain complex information to patients and families; Excellent ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams Case management or care coordination Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: All applicants must be physically able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position. A pre-placement physical examination shall be completed prior to appointment.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Cancer Care Navigation Team (CCNT) Registered Nurse (RN) is a professional RN who is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing direct patient care. The elements include but are not limited to patient identification, patient assessment, patient navigation, and patient evaluation. The program is established as part of a national, multi-site clinical pilot conducted by the VHA National Oncology Program (NOP). Cancer Care Navigation refers to specialized assistance for the community, patients, families, and caregivers to assist in overcoming barriers to receiving care and facilitate timely access to clinical services and resources. Navigation processes encompass pre-diagnosis through all phases of the cancer experience. The navigation services implemented will depend upon the particular type, severity, and/or complexity of the identified barriers. The Cancer Care Navigator participates in a multidisciplinary team to identify and minimize barriers to care. The RN ensures the Veteran has timely and equal access to clinical services, cancer genetics, and psychosocial resources. The CCNT RN assumes the following major duties and responsibilities: Participates in performance measure improvement. Provides direct patient care and coordinates clinic flow. Organize and coordinate the implementation and day-to-day operation of the CCNT program. Assume adherence to procedures and program plans established for the CCNT program by NOP. Conduct patient assessments utilizing template for group of patients with cancer. Identify the patient's and caregiver's medical and psychosocial issues and potential barriers to cancer care, supporting the management and resolution of these barriers, and determining the need for additional resources and referrals. Utilize program dashboards, templates, and management tools, including communication with the NOP informatics team to ensure appropriate implementation. Coordinate timely care and support cancer care activities across the continuum of care from the point of high-suspicion through diagnosis, active treatment, and through survivorship, or end-of-life care. Work effectively with all levels of staff, promoting collaborative efforts, and facilitate communication among the interprofessional care team to prevent fragmented or delayed care. Demonstrate knowledge of clinical guidelines (e.g., National Comprehensive Cancer Care Network) and specialty resources throughout the cancer continuum. Provide anticipatory guidance and management of expectations with education and appropriate referrals to assist patients in coping. Promote patient-driven care with optimal outcomes through advocacy by providing and reinforcing education, participating in healthcare team communication and care conferences, and promoting health promotion and risk reduction strategies for patients with cancer and their caregivers. Organize in-services to educate and share information about the CCNT program with clinical staff. Provide regular communication, as needed, to the CCNT program team. Identify program issues and assist in problem resolution efforts. Work with CCT at other VHA facilities within each of the VISN who received pilot grants, to improve coordination of care for all Veterans with cancer. Performs other duties as assigned. 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: Full Time; 8:00am - 4:30 pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notifications: This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit position. Selectee may be required to work at any VA Connecticut Healthcare System campus, as needed. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is in the Excepted Service. The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.