The Registered Nurse (RN) Community Living Center (CLC) Resident Assessment Coordinator (RAC) is responsible for coordinating patient care with an emphasis on education, self-management, and ensuring customer satisfaction across the entire continuum of care. The incumbent administers medications and performs procedures in accordance with established policies and guidelines. By collaborating with interdisciplinary team members, they contribute to positive care outcomes.
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/12792853. 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/. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing a weight of 35 pounds in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Program Directive 2010-032. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.
The Community Living Center (CLC) Resident Assessment Coordinator (RAC) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for overseeing nursing education, orientation, and quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing resident care outcomes. This role includes leading the CLC Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI)/Minimum Data Set (MDS) program, serving as the Facility Administrator for the RAI/MDS software, and promoting the application of RAI/MDS assessments in resident care planning. The RAC directs the RAI/MDS RN responsible for coding assigned sections and Care Area Assessments (CAAs). The RAC collaborates with CLC interdisciplinary team members to conduct interrater reliability reviews, which must occur at least quarterly. This includes supporting team members in their review efforts, monitoring the accuracy of RAI/MDS assessments, and reporting trends of identified errors. The RAC prepares and submits quarterly interrater reliability reports to the CLC leadership team. In the absence of a designated MDS RN, the RAC must document and address any discrepancies identified during coding or documentation reviews. The RAC is also responsible for transmitting completed RAI/MDS assessments to the Austin Information Technology Center, ensuring compliance with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines. The role involves disseminating updates on CMS policies, educational sessions, MDS coding changes, and program advancements to CLC staff. The RAC develops and implements ongoing educational plans for staff to ensure proper completion of the RAI/MDS process and software. Additionally, the RAC ensures that the interdisciplinary team completes RAI/MDS assessments in accordance with current CMS and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) requirements. They provide guidance, develop, and update procedures related to the RAI/MDS process, and serve as a subject matter expert in identifying quality of care deficiencies. The RAC assists with performance improvement initiatives related to quality management and CLC Compare. The RAC is responsible for downloading, validating, and distributing quality management and Resource Utilization Group (RUG) reports to the CLC interdisciplinary team and leadership. They support survey readiness activities, including preparations for the annual unannounced survey and interim quality oversight surveys. The RAC ensures that the CLC adheres to regulatory requirements by scheduling and completing quarterly and comprehensive MDS assessments as specified in MDS guidelines. Preferred Experience: MSD Experience following CMS guidelines, 2 years minimum RN working clinical nursing home, acute or hospice setting. 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: 7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized