Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to current permanent Veterans Health Administration Employees and US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below

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Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. Active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs. Provides direct and indirect nursing care to patients with complex needs as related to transfers, admissions, telephone triage, and discharges. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to validate and collect patient information such as benefit eligibility, insurance status, Veteran travel eligibility, and bed availability at the VAMC. Facilitates bed control, placing patients on the most appropriate unit. Coordinates care with multiple providers across all levels and sites care. Assures services interface within the VA and community care programs to provide continuity of care to patients. Processes admission requests from providers, clinics, and other VA or community hospitals. Communicates census and bed availability across all units and resolves bed utilization issues. Utilizes bed management systems (BMS, EDIS, HER, etc.) to assign patients to appropriate units. Facilitates timely room turnover by coordinating with Environmental Management Services. Serves as the facility's subject matter expert on patient flow, bed management, and resource allocation during day shift operation. Effective verbal and written communication skills to interact with patients, families, healthcare teams, and external partners. Ability to present data and facilitate discussions during multidisciplinary team meetings. Commitment to quality improvement initiatives and patient safety standards. Experience with performance improvement projects and clinical process redesign. Proficiency in using electronic health records (EHR) systems, patient tracking systems, and other relevant healthcare technology. Ability to adapt to new technologies and integrate them into patient flow processes. Strong organizational skills to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and responsibilities effectively. Ability to work in a fast paced environment and respond calmly in high pressure situations. Leadership abilities with experience in coordinating and leading clinical teams. Strong interpersonal skills to foster a collaborative approach among various departments and disciplines. Ability to inspire and motivate colleagues towards achieving common goals. Extensive experience in clinical nursing practice preferably in an acute care or critical care setting. In Depth understanding of patient care pathways, discharge planning, and transitions of care. Familiarity with evidence-based practices and current healthcare trends. Med-Surg, Critical Care, Emergency Department and/or Behavioral Health experience preferred. BLS required.


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 - 7:00am - 3:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications

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.)

1. Clinical Expertise and Knowledge:
   • Extensive experience in clinical nursing practice, preferably in an acute care or critical care setting.
   • In-depth understanding of patient care pathways, discharge planning, and transitions of care.
   • Familiarity with evidence-based practices and current healthcare trends.
   • Med-Surg, Critical Care, Emergency Department and/or Behavioral Health experience preferred.
   • BLS required
2. Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:
   • Ability to analyze complex clinical situations and develop efficient solutions for patient flow issues.
   • Proficiency in using data to drive decision-making and improve patient outcomes.
3. Technological Proficiency:
   • Proficiency in using electronic health records (EHR) systems, patient tracking systems, and other relevant healthcare technology.
   • Ability to adapt to new technologies and integrate them into patient flow processes.
4. Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Focus:
   • Commitment to quality improvement initiatives and patient safety standards.
   • Experience with performance improvement projects and clinical process redesign.
5. Education and Professional Development:
   • Baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing (BSN or MSN) is preferred.
   • Certification in current specialty is advantageous.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

VHA & US Citizen:

Order of consideration) Area of consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1st Area of Consideration - current permanent Gulf Coast Veterans Health Administration employees including satellites;
2nd Area of Consideration - current permanent Veterans Healthcare Administration employees; and
3rd Area of Consideration - all others