The Certified Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Compensation and Pension (C&P) performs focused clinical assessments, reviews medical records, and provides objective medical opinions within the scope of C&P evaluations. The NP also conducts Military Environmental Exposure evaluations and counsels veterans on potential health risks associated with these exposures. The NP practices to the full extent of their education, training, and certification in this evaluative role.
Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a 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). NOTE: Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active, and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment. License - All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Basic Board Certification - All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current basic board certification in one of the following: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), or Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (GNP) from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared. NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) assignment that are also 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. Preferred Experience: Preferred experience in Compensation & Pension The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) II: Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians. Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2)(B). Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required. Dimension Requirement: APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care. Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice. Professionalism/Collegiality. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) III: Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care. Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. Dimension Requirement: APN (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program. Outcome Focus. Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations. Leadership. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population, or program. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility. Professionalism/Collegiality. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population, or program level. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by advanced practice nurses such as physical assessment, and potentially long periods of walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling. Examples may include but are not limited to: - Significant amounts of time standing assisting patients - Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols
Major Duties and Responsibilities: 1. C&P Clinical Examination Duties Perform Compensation & Pension (C&P) disability evaluations for eligible Veterans in accordance with Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidelines. Conduct comprehensive clinical interviews, review service treatment and medical records, perform targeted physical examinations, and determine diagnoses based on standardized diagnostic criteria (DSM/ICD). Apply advanced clinical judgment to assess functional impact, identify inconsistencies, and provide medical opinions and rationales required for adjudication of VA disability claims. Demonstrate proficiency in comprehensive physical examination techniques, diagnostic reasoning, and differential diagnosis consistent with the level of an independent medical provider. Document findings and release examination reports in a timely and accurate manner, meeting all VBA documentation quality standards and timeliness metrics. 2. Professional Clinical Competency Maintain competency and demonstrate proficiency in performing accurate physical examinations, assessment of objective findings, and formulation of medical nexus opinions in accordance with DMA (Disability and Medical Assessment) standards. Utilize evidence-based guidelines, the Compensation and Pension Examination Program (CPEP) training materials, and DBQ templates to ensure accuracy and consistency. Demonstrate ability to recognize, describe, and interpret abnormal physical findings and to correlate these findings to pathophysiology and historical data. 3. Collaboration, Education, and Consultation Provide consultation to other examiners and staff regarding C&P examination techniques, DBQ completion, and interpretation of medical findings. Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and staff development related to C&P and Environmental Health programs. Support education and training of new C&P clinicians and registry examiners as directed by the Chief, C&P. 4. Environmental Health and Registry Support Conduct Environmental Health Registry evaluations (Agent Orange, Gulf War, Ionizing Radiation, Toxic Embedded Fragments, Depleted Uranium, and other exposure programs) per VHA Directive 1308. Obtain detailed exposure, occupational, and military histories; perform focused physical examinations; counsel Veterans on findings; and complete Registry worksheets and follow-up letters. Maintain compliance with all reporting, documentation, and follow-up requirements of the Health Outcomes Military Exposures (HOME) program. 5. Administrative, Ethical, and Professional Responsibilities Adhere to all VA, VISN 8, and facility policies regarding documentation, patient privacy, timeliness, and professional conduct. Maintain licensure, certification, and required training for independent practice as an APRN. Exhibit professionalism, integrity, and respect in interactions with Veterans and staff, consistent with VA core values of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence (ICARE). Participate in staff meetings, continuing education, quality assurance reviews, and other activities 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 to Friday, 0800 - 1630 Telework: Ad-hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized