Registered Nurse - Referral Coordinator

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Jefferson Barracks (MO); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off (PTO) — 50 days per year

Traditional federal pension

Federal health/vision/dental insurance

Federal 401(k) with employer match

Lifelong learning and career growth

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Referral Coordinator Registered Nurse to oversee and coordinate patient referrals, ensure timelines, and guide Veterans through care options within VA and community care networks.

This role emphasizes education, self-management, and patient satisfaction, with collaboration across clinical and administrative teams. Responsibilities include triage of referrals, liaison with providers, and documentation in health systems, while supporting quality

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required; strong written and spoken English.
• Graduate of an accredited nursing program with US RN licensure.
• BSN or MSN preferred; state license current and unrestricted.
• Experience in referral coordination, case management, or acute care preferred.
• Proficiency with MS Office and data-analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Triage, review, and coordinate referrals to ensure appropriate care pathways.
• Act as liaison between VA providers, specialty services, and community care.
• Provide clear guidance on care options and scheduling processes.
• Maintain accurate referral documentation in VA health information systems.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to improve access to care.
• Support quality improvement initiatives and customer service excellence.
• Uphold licensure and professional practice standards; work schedule Mon–Fri, 7:30am–4:00pm.

Skills

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Quality improvement

Customer service

Educational focus

Education

BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)

MSN (Master's degree in nursing)

RN license (US)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Power BI

Data analysis

Job description

Summary

The Referral Coordinator Registered Nurse is accountable for all aspects of the nursing process in providing and supervising patient care. The RN coordinates care with a focus on education - self-management - and satisfaction - following established policies and guidelines. The role supports positive outcomes through interdisciplinary collaboration and active participation in quality improvement and customer service initiatives.

Summary

The Referral Coordinator Registered Nurse is accountable for all aspects of the nursing process in providing and supervising patient care. The RN coordinates care with a focus on education - self-management - and satisfaction - following established policies and guidelines. The role supports positive outcomes through interdisciplinary collaboration and active participation in quality improvement and customer service initiatives.

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/13101010
• 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: This position requires physical activities typically associated with direct patient care - including extended periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - and repeated bending or kneeling.

Duties

• The Referral Coordinator Registered Nurse plays a key role in supporting high-quality - timely - and well-coordinated care for Veterans
• This position contributes to unit- and program-level quality improvement initiatives and promotes excellence in customer service
• The RC RN manages an efficient process for receiving - triaging - and coordinating referrals
• This includes applying expert knowledge of referral workflows - clinical review criteria - utilization management standards - documentation requirements - community care regulations - and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidelines
• The RC RN uses clinical judgment and systems-based practice to guide Veterans through available care options - including VA direct care and community care - ensuring that each Veteran receives the right care at the right time
• Key Duties and Responsibilities Triage and review incoming referrals to confirm appropriate care pathways using standardized national triage tools
• Serve as a liaison between referring VA providers - specialty services - and community care partners to ensure consult accuracy - completion of required pre-work - and smooth coordination of services
• Provide Veterans with clear guidance on care options and scheduling processes
• Maintain accurate and compliant referral documentation using VA-mandated health information systems
• Collaborate with the Office of Integrated Veteran Care to triage Requests for Services (RFS) and promote in-house care when appropriate
• Practice at the top of licensure to support high-quality care aligned with performance standards and organizational goals
• Contribute nursing expertise within interdisciplinary teams - support change initiatives - and participate in efforts to advance evidence-based practice
• The Referral Coordinator RN supports the medical center's mission to expand timely access to care - empower Veterans in their healthcare decision-making - and ensure that eligible Veterans receive coordinated - high-quality services across the VA and community care systems
• Preferred Experience: BSN or MSN preferred Experience in referral coordination or case management Procedural/Acute Care - Inpatient experience and or specialty areas
• Advanced proficiency with operating systems - data analysis - and Microsoft Word - Excel - PowerPoint - and Power BI
• 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 - 7:30am - 4:00pm
• Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized