Registered Nurse – Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Fort Smith (AR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Outpatient Staff Registered Nurse (RN) to provide direct Veteran care and care coordination in the Fort Smith area, with travel to Ozark VA Clinic as needed.

The role emphasizes leadership, evidence-based practice, and professional development within the Primary Care Department. The RN will manage patient panels, promote wellness, and collaborate on policies and care strategies, ensuring timely access and

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required by VA policy.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted nursing license in a US state or territory.
• Graduate of an accredited nursing program (ACEN/CCNE).
• Bridge program pathway to licensure may be considered for BSN-equivalents.
• Foreign nursing education must be evaluated for equivalence.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct Veteran care and care coordination.
• Lead and participate in patient-centered care within the Primary Care Department.
• Manage assigned patient panels and utilize registries for access and evaluation.
• Promote health education, wellness, and chronic care management.
• Collaborate to develop, implement, and revise policies and guidelines.
• Support professional development and knowledge sharing among staff.
• Ensure safety and quality in outpatient nursing care.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or diploma in nursing

Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with BSN

Nursing leadership or management experience

Tools

ICD degree equivalency assessment

Job description

Summary

The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Outpatient Staff Registered Nurse (RN) executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership – experience – and creative approaches to management of complex primary care. This nurse provides direct Veteran care and care coordination – as it pertains – to Veterans and their care within the Primary Care Department. This position is located at the Fort Smith VA Clinic – but will be required to travel to Ozark VA Clinic depending on team assignment.

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/13101747
• 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 Experience: Primary care and/or behavioral health experience preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires carry and/or heavy lifting 45 pounds and over – straight pulling 1 hour – pushing 1 hour – reaching above shoulder – use of fingers – both hands required – walking 7 hours – standing 7 hours – kneeling .5 hours – repeated bending 7 hours – both legs required – operation of crane – truck – tractor or motor vehicle – ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously – near vision corrected at 13″” to 16″” to Jaeger 1 to 4 – far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other – ability to distinguish basic colors – ability to distinguish shades of colors – hearing without aid – mental and emotional stability and working with detergents and antiseptic solutions.

Duties

• The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Outpatient Staff Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent – evidence-based care to primary care patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants – as appropriate to the setting
• Duties include but are not limited to: Manages assigned panel(s) – utilizes registries – and ensures appropriate evaluation and access is provided to patient panels
• This nurse provides health promotion – health education and coaching on wellness – disease prevention – and chronic care management
• Collaborates in the development – implementation – evaluation – and revision of policies – procedures – and/or guidelines
• Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for the Primary Care Department and facility
• Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Supports colleagues and other nurses through primary care knowledge sharing to provide safe – quality nursing care
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals
• Evaluates outpatient outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for primary care individuals – groups – and populations
• Responsible for the documented PACT outcomes at the program or service level
• PACT program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility
• 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 – 7:00am -3:30pm or 8:00am – 4:30pm depending on team assignment
• Subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized