Registered Nurse serves as a member of a VISN-level interprofessional group of clinical reviewers-the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT). CEAT is responsible for reviewing complex Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) eligibility cases for admission, ongoing level of care adjustments, and discharge appropriateness. Must be capable of practicing as a RN, have specialized knowledge of the limitations and abilities of the population served by the CSP PCAFC.
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/12743988. Grade/Level Scope Education 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/. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, adequate auditory perception, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially extended periods of computer use, virtual care equipment use, sitting and/or standing. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
The CSP is a clinical program that provides state-of-the-art continuum of services, education and resources to caregivers of Veterans with complex needs. As a member of the VISN 22 CSP's Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT), the incumbent has the responsibility for expert knowledge of eligibility criteria for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), day-to-day operation of the program, and all reporting requirements within the assigned VISN and the Appeal regions. The incumbent performs a wide range of services, collaborating with inter-professional CEAT members to apply regulation, policy and guidelines to make eligibility and level of care determinations, and crafting well-substantiated decision letters to applicants and appellants that are clear, comprehensive and concise. Duties include, but are not limited to : Supporting the mission, policies, and procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the appropriate Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and its associated facilities Conducting comprehensive record reviews for the purposes of determining PCAFC eligibility, level of care, and appropriateness for participation per statue, regulation, policy, and guidelines. This is done from a registered nurse perspective Sustaining expert knowledge of eligibility criteria for the PCAFC and the regulations, statutes, directives and policies that govern or impact the program and decision making Bringing a knowledge of, and ability to administer, score and interpret the widest array of applicable assessments to assist CEAT with case disposition and team recommendations Conducting Peer Reviews from a registered nurse standpoint, which may occur at the regional level, to aide in achieving consistency nationally Using professional standards of care, scientific evidence, and practice to evaluate program and/or service activities and implementing broad-reaching evidence-based change Coordinating with VISN CEAT, other Regional CEATs and VACO CSP to develop and implement strategies for PCAFC determinations, appeals process, and performance improvement Demonstrating knowledge and skill in the use of software applications for drafting documents and data management as well as other computer systems in use by the VHA to track workload and outcomes related to the Caregiver Support Program Maintaining a level of productivity and quality consistent with the complexity of the assignment and consistent with Nursing standards, Joint Commission standards, and VISN standards Maintaining advanced knowledge and understanding of both the services and benefits available for caregivers from both federal, state and private sector resources Evaluating program progress and outcomes and utilizes data to continuously modify and improve the program and processes Completing all requested reports, data, and maintain reporting requirements with outcomes related to the CSP Keeping supervisor apprised of problems and recommended solutions to problems encountered in the incumbent's area of responsibility Furthering one's own professional growth through continuing education and for ensuring continuing education appropriate to the area of assignment Actively participating in the CSP conference calls and participating in other relevant conference calls and/or meetings as assigned 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 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: May be Available Telework: Ad-Hoc Only Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized