Registered Nurse - ACS - Primary Care

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Registered Nurse (RN) within the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) to deliver coordinated, patient-centered primary care. The RN will manage assessments, triage, chronic disease support, care planning, and health education, collaborating with interdisciplinary staff to improve health outcomes.

The role emphasizes continuity of care, health promotion, and proactive team-based care in a VA setting, with opportunities for

Qualifications

• Graduate of an approved nursing program with RN licensure.
• English language proficiency for direct patient care.
• Current, full, active nursing license in US state.
• Ability to work in a team-based primary care setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide health promotion, education, and coaching on wellness, disease prevention, and chronic care management.
• Manage assigned patient panels, ensure timely evaluation and access.
• Coordinate care with PACT and interdisciplinary team to optimize outcomes.
• Support transition of care and ensure continuity of care across visits.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Care coordination

Health education

Triage

Education

Nursing degree (RN) or equivalent

State nursing licensure

Job description

Summary

The Registered Nurse (RN) in the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) provides coordinated - patient-centered care by managing assessments - triage - chronic disease support - care planning - and health education. The role ensures continuity - collaborates with interdisciplinary staff - monitors outcomes - and promotes proactive - team-based primary care to improve patient health and access.

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/13064489
• 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: Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• Heavy carrying (45 lbs
• and over)
• Straight pulling and pushing
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking and standing up to 8 hours
• repeated bending
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• hearing aid permitted.

Duties

• The RN demonstrate proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-monitor performance regularly to identify strengths - address gaps - and ensure consistent - high-quality outcomes
• Duties include but not limited to the following: Manages assigned panel(s) - utilizes registries - and ensures appropriate evaluation and access is provided to patient panels
• Provides health promotion - health education and coaching on wellness - disease prevention - and chronic care management
• Demonstrate proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directs in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• Assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and enhance outcomes utilization
• Integrates outpatient nursing knowledge - skills - abilities - and judgment and is self-directed in goal setting for managing complex PACT situations
• Validates understanding of the rationale for care processes and decisions
• Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based care
• Demonstrate the ability to cope with and manage competing priorities
• Demonstrates competence in primary care practice and decision-making - deliberate planning - and critical thinking skills
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - 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: M-F 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized