Registered Nurse (HUD-VASH)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Bedford (MA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Federal health insurance

Pension/retirement

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Registered Nurse (HUD-VASH) in the Social Work Service at the VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA.

This full-time position supports HUD-VASH care, working 40 hours per week within a dedicated interdisciplinary HUD‑VASH team. The incumbent will provide direct nursing care, establish therapeutic relationships, and coordinate with social work and medical staff to improve outcomes for veterans experiencing homelessness.

Qualifications

• English Language Proficiency
• Current, full, active RN license in a U.S. state or territory
• Graduate of an approved nursing program (ACEN/CCNE) or equivalent.
• License by state after bridge program or entry-level nursing education
• Foreign education evaluated for equivalency when applicable
• Proficiency to practice in direct patient care as required by VA
• Ability to obtain licensure and corresponding steps per VA qualification standards
• Must meet physical requirements and pass pre-placement exams

Responsibilities

• Establish therapeutic relationships with patients and families to achieve optimal function.
• Provide nursing care in HUD‑VASH team under the HUD‑VASH Supervisor.
• Demonstrate professional communication, leadership, and collaboration across care teams.
• Apply high reliability principles and I CARE values to improve patient outcomes.
• Lead interdisciplinary teams to improve nursing practice beyond the unit.

Skills

English proficiency

RN license

BSN/ADN

Nursing degree

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

BSN or higher

Nursing degree (RN)

Job description

Summary

This Registered Nurse (HUD-VASH) position is located in Social Work Services at the VA Bedford Healthcare System at the Bedford - MA location. This position is full time at 40 hours per week.

Summary

This Registered Nurse (HUD-VASH) position is located in Social Work Services at the VA Bedford Healthcare System at the Bedford - MA location. This position is full time at 40 hours per week.

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.) Driver's License Requirement - A current - valid state issued Driver's License is required for this position
• 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/13053407
• 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: All applicants must be physically able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position
• A pre-placement physical examination shall be completed prior to appointment.
  
  

Duties

• The incumbent is an integral member of the HUD-VASH team and is under the direct supervision of the HUD-VASH Supervisor
• HUD-VASH is a subset of Homeless Programs in Social Work Service - under the Chief - Social Work Service
• It is expected that the incumbent will practice independently - exercising initiative and independent judgment in day-today activities
• In complex administrative and clinical problems incumbent is expected to initiate consultation with the HUD-VASH supervisor and Program Manager
• Duties include but limited to: Establishes a therapeutic relationship - allowing the patient to achieve optimal function through assessment and treatment of their health enhancing the patient experience - satisfaction - and/or safety
• Treats all patients - families and other caregivers with dignity and respect incorporating knowledge - values - and beliefs into nursing care delivery without judgement or discrimination
• Recognizes ethical issues related to professional nursing practice and behaves in an appropriate manner through observance of established policies and ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses
• Applies high reliability principles and I CARE values to improve patient outcomes
• Demonstrates positive - effective communication skills - professional behaviors and leadership that promotes a commitment to excellence - improving nursing practice - and fostering collaboration among customers beyond the immediate practice setting
• Makes sustained contributions to healthcare by actively participating in healthcare facility or service-level committees or councils - establishing active relationships and demonstrating leadership in improving care beyond the immediate practice setting
• Leads with emotional and social intelligence
• Demonstrates resilience in coping with challenging and stressful situations - to assist others in increasing their self-determination and competence beyond the immediate practice setting
• Excels in making appropriate judgements
• Demonstrates integrity in the workplace and facilitates formal and informal mentoring opportunities to develop current and future leaders beyond the immediate practice setting
• Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams that utilize critical thinking to improve nursing practice beyond the immediate practice setting
• Assumes other related duties
• 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 to 4:30pm
• Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service
• This position is covered by a special rate
• The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees
• The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position
• For more information - refer to Required Documents below If you are a current federal employee - you are required to attach your Most Recent non-award SF-50
• This should be a SF-50 from the current calendar year which shows your current position - grade and step
• Award SF-50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted.