Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

Videos

The Renal Case Manager nurse ensures that the delivery of care is provided in accordance with establish standards and Medical Center policies and procedures and is consistent with the plan of other health care providers. The incumbent will ensure that all patient care needs are met in a safe, efficient, and timely manner which meets acceptable standards of care and expectations within the Renal service line and set forth by Medical Center policies and procedures pertaining to this position. The incumbent will continuously evaluate processes and identify opportunities for improvement and utilizing systems redesign principles to improve care and services. The incumbent is responsible for quality and performance measures in the clinic and is expected to stay current and informed of all VA, Joint Commission, National, State, and local standards, regulations, and requirements.

The incumbent provides input for Medical Center, program, and clinic policies and procedures and provides leadership in identifying and addressing ethical issues that impact patients and staff. The incumbent will ensure excellent customer service and will act as the first line patient advocate in response to any complaint or concerns with the clinic. This position may include other clinical or administrative assignments necessary to meet the mission of the Renal specialty service line as well as cover other clinic locations, at the discretion of the Renal team. They will work in collaboration with Referral Coordination Initiative Unit (RCI) RN's to retain Veteran's care through the VA.

The Renal Case Manager nurse will use the nursing process and evidence-based practice to collaborate with the team, expanded team and program leadership in developing the patient-driven care plan and patient-populations program plans and programmatic process improvement initiatives. The incumbent is responsible for collaborating with services internal and external to the VA to facilitate care transition and program(s) continuous improvement to effectively meet the patients' needs. The incumbent provides patient and family health education. The incumbent demonstrates leadership by serving as an advocate for patients, and a team/program(s) leader with colleagues and she/he continues to enhance his/her own and the team's professional growth, development, and practice.

This is a nonsupervisory position of responsibility that comes with clinical and administrative duties and responsibilities. The incumbent will be responsible for recommending diagnostic testing needs, medication adjustments, whole life management, and other aspects of the overall treatment planning to the necessary clinicians within the Renal team. The incumbent is also responsible for other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or leadership. Responsible for care routing activities within Renal services to the RCI team in a manner that successfully integrates the patient input into the care, using patient eligibility to assist the Veteran in determining the care environment based on the availability of services, timeliness, and best interest of the patient. This determination is based on clinical input, patient choice and Mission Act authorization and eligibilities. The Renal Nurse Case Manager and support staff with work with the Referral Coordination Unit RN to assist the patient in determining the best care option available to them, taking into consideration their clinical presentation, services available in both physical distances, and wait times at VA Pittsburgh and other Western Market facilities, or through care in the community.

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 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Telework: ADHOC Telework may be available at the discretion of the hiring manager.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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 evaluation.
• 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.)

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.