Registered Nurse

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Flowery Branch (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP eligibility

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Registered Nurse within Outpatient Primary Care to join a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT).

You will provide fundamental, patient-centered nursing care, coordinate transitions, and support chronic disease management across multiple care modalities. The role emphasizes evidence-based practice, health coaching, and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team to enhance access, continuity, and veteran wellness.

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required for direct patient care.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by accrediting bodies; RN licensure in good standing.
• Possesses an active State RN license and required nursing degree.
• Bridge program options may apply for licensure through state boards.
• Foreign degree equivalency validation may be required for non-US graduates.

Responsibilities

• Provides fundamental, knowledge-based nursing care to an assigned panel of patients.
• Delivers care through multiple modalities: in-person visits, virtual encounters, secure messaging, and phone-based services.
• Coordinates transitions of care and preventive/chronic disease management.
• Educates patients and families, promotes veteran-centered wellness, and supports self-management.

Skills

English proficiency

Nursing professionalism

Patient care coordination

Education

RN licensure (US)

Nursing degree (ADN/BSN)

Tools

VHA care tools

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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.) 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/13054295
• 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 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 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 IIIOR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with 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
• Preferred experience: BSN preferred
• At least 2 years of recent experience (in the last 5 years) as a Primary Care/PACT - Ambulatory/Outpatient or Med-Surg RN
• At least 2 years of recent experience as charge nurse and/or preceptor Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position may include a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - 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 assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols Position specific duties/expectations are detailed in the associated competency and should be performed once the competency has been validated
• This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments.

Duties

• Duties The Registered Nurse (RN) serves as a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Registered Nurse Care Manager (RNCM) within Outpatient Primary Care
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Provides fundamental - knowledge-based - coordinated nursing care to an assigned panel of patients within the Primary Care PACT
• Provides primary care coordination - including transitions of care - preventive care - chronic disease management - and Veteran-centered nursing care
• Provides care through multiple modalities - including face-to-face visits - virtual encounters - secure messaging - and telephone-based services
• Uses evidence-based guidelines and population health tools to assist in identifying and managing high-risk and chronically ill patients
• Provides chronic disease management - preventive health services - patient education - health coaching - and support for Veteran-centered health goals
• Coordinates same-day patient needs and post-discharge care - including procedures - labs - follow-up - pre-visit preparation - clinical reminders - and referrals
• Connects Veterans with appropriate services - specialty care - and interdisciplinary team resources
• Participates in daily huddles and collaborates with PACT members and extended care support teams to coordinate patient care
• Provides individualized care - health coaching - motivational interviewing - and ongoing management for patients with chronic and ambulatory care-sensitive conditions
• Assists with coordinating smooth transitions between acute and ambulatory care settings
• Supports patient self-management - goal setting - health promotion - and overall wellness
• Collaborates with PACT team members to promote access - continuity - patient experience - and quality outcomes
• Uses VHA panel management tools and team metrics to identify care gaps and support proactive - high-quality primary care delivery
• Provides patient and family education and advocates for Veterans' needs to improve patient outcomes and wellness
• Performs other related duties appropriate to the grade and assignment as directed
• 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 Telework: Ad-hoc - as determined by the agency Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more