Summary
This Referral Coordination Team (RCT) Registered Nurse (RN) position is located at the University Drive Campus within the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center. This RCT RN is responsible for executing a streamlined approach to receiving - triaging - and directing timely - coordinated care for patients. The RCT RN will be assigned to complete the RCI coordination duties - in collaboration with Community Care.
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/12750814
- 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 up to (35 pounds)
- heavy carrying up to (35 pounds)
- straight pulling (2-4 hours)
- pushing (2-4 hours)
- reaching above shoulders (1-2 hours)
- use of fingers
- both hands required
- walking (4-6 hours)
- standing (4-6 hours)
- repeated bending (2-4 hours)
- both legs required
- ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
- near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
- far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other
- both eyes required
- ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of color
- hear (aid permitted)
- mental and emotional stability.
Duties
- The RCT RN possesses intimate knowledge of the internal referral care process - clinical review criteria - utilization management standards - clinical documentation requirements - community care regulations - and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) standards and guidelines
- The RCT RN uses nursing knowledge and systems theory to assess - organize - facilitate - and guide Veterans through their full range of care options including internal/direct care in Veterans Affairs (VA) and care in the community
- The RCT RN serves as a liaison to both internal and community providers and is responsible for managing the care of the Veteran throughout the consult process
- Major duties include but are not limited to the following: Triages and applies a collaborative team approach in identifying - analyzing - and resolving patient care problems
- Coordinates care between Medical specialty to optimize the care of complex Medical Service patients
- Expected to exercise independent technical judgments in decision making without readily available supervision - and to possess and apply a comprehensive working knowledge of the principles - art and science of practical nursing
- Uses the nursing process and evidence-based practice to collaborate with the Core Team (Patient - Specialty Care Provider - Care Coordinator - LPN - MSA and other clinics) and Expanded Team (family/caregiver - internal and community-based services involved in providing care to the patient)
- Attends pertinent multi-disciplinary care conferences and tumor board meetings and is responsible for completing documentation within CPRS summarizing findings and recommendations of the providers
- Serves as a liaison for the Veteran who is undergoing care in the community and assists in coordinating specified care
- Maintains multiple database spreadsheets to track complex medical patients throughout the continuity of care until care is predominately maintained within on medical specialty or until resolution of the tracked condition
- Effectively communicates with members of the healthcare team and patient related to the results of tests and labs - and orders additional tests and labs when indicated by a provider
- Triages patient phone calls and relay concerns to appropriate care team and assists in coordinating urgent visits within medical service when indicated
- Coordinates work-up of patients prior to initial visit with specialty care - including communication with patient regarding the rationale and timing of recommended tests
- Assists in reviewing and triaging new consult specific to each section to expedite patient care
- Participates - sets priorities - and identifies opportunities to improve nursing performance through data collection and monitoring activities
- Use of My HealtheVet and secure messaging portals to expand patient communication and education Flexible in adapting to work demands and numerous assignments Checks voicemail messages at a minimum of 3 times during workdays to include at the beginning and prior to end of shift
- Perform other related duties as needed or assigned to support functions of the service as assigned by the Nurse Manager
- The incumbent reports directly to the Nurse Manager of Medical Service
- Preferred Experience: Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word Excellent communication skills - both verbal and written Exceptional organizational skills Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepared Experience in Gastroenterology and Hepatology nursing 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 7am-330pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
- Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized