Registered Nurse (Care Coordinator)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Federal pension

Health insurance

Job summary

The Durham VA Healthcare System is actively seeking highly skilled Registered Nurses to join our Care Coordination Center. The role emphasizes leadership, patient-centered care, and management of complex cases to ensure high-quality outcomes.

You will coordinate care across inpatient and community settings and guide patients through transitions with a focus on safety and satisfaction. Applicants must hold an active US RN license, complete the required nursing education program, and demonstrate

Qualifications

• English proficiency required for direct patient care.
• Must hold a current US RN license and nursing degree from an approved program.
• BSN preferred; bridge or advanced degrees may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate care for Veterans across transitions and settings.
• Lead and participate in interdisciplinary team care planning.
• Educate patients and families on care plans and self-management.
• Ensure quality improvement initiatives and patient safety practices.
• Perform nursing assessments and apply evidence-based care.
• Collaborate with VA and community partners to meet needs.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Care coordination

Patient education

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Registered Nurse license (US)

BSN or higher

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

Summary

The Durham VA Healthcare System is seeking (1) highly skilled/experienced Registered Nurses to serve within our Care Coordination Center. Demonstrates leadership - experience/ingenious approaches to management of complex patient care. Accountable for the management of patient care - human - fiscal/material resources - & the total environment of the unit. Responsible to ensure that the highest possible quality of care is achieved & a safe therapeutic environment.

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/13084354
• 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
• Preferred Level of Education: BSN Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - sitting - lifting - carrying - pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands - both legs & repeated bending
• Heavy lifting (45 lbs & over)
• Heavy Carrying (45 lbs & over)
• Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours)
• Pushing (up to 4 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 8 hours)
• Standing (up to 8 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 8 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously
• Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters
• Correctable vision 20/40 in one eye
• Ability to distinguish basic colors & shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• Emotional & Mental Stability: The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening/testing - as a condition of employment.

Duties

• Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when performing care coordination
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care for Veterans admitted in a local community care facility and those who require care transition from the VA to another VA or local community facility
• The care coordination is focused on patient education - self management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care
• Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs
• The nurse is responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care coordination to assigned patients as appropriate to the setting
• The nurse is an active member of an interdisciplinary team whose primary focus is on care transitions to and from an inpatient setting
• Duties include - but not limited to: Assists with patient planning assessments - identification of barriers - and activities required to successfully transition the patient in and out of the acute inpatient setting
• Will perform site visits to our Veteran population admitted in outside hospitals
• Applies the nursing process which includes systematic data gathering - assessment - and appropriate nursing judgment to ensure positive patient outcomes
• Coordinates and collaborates with other VA and non-VA departments - community agencies - and healthcare providers to ensure patient needs are addressed
• The individual will assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation
• Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• Evaluates practice in an ongoing process - based on best evidence
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals
• Partners with others to effect change and produce optimal outcomes
• Evidence of a strong knowledge base in intra-facility unit transfers and interfacility transfers of Veterans along with care coordination of healthcare within health care facilities
• Performs all other duties assigned
• Preferred Experience: Demonstrates knowledge of health care resource utilization and/or care management
• Experience in managing - teaching - negotiating - and collaborating with multidisciplinary groups - such as local community hospital interdisciplinary teams and VA resources with a Veteran/family focus
• 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 Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized