Registered Nurse - Surgical Discharge Planning

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total rewards package

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Omaha is seeking a Registered Nurse to coordinate discharge planning for surgical patients, ensuring safe and timely transitions from inpatient care to home, rehab, or post-acute settings.

You will work with surgeons, nursing, therapy, social work and case management to develop individualized plans and educate patients and caregivers. The role emphasizes leadership in care coordination, accurate documentation, and reducing readmissions, with a comprehensive

Qualifications

• Current RN license in the United States.
• Nursing degree from ACEN/CCNE-accredited program.
• Experience with discharge planning preferred and hospital collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage discharge planning for surgical patients.
• Collaborate with surgeons, nursing staff, therapy, social work and case management.
• Educate patients and caregivers on post-surgical care and warning signs.
• Identify barriers to discharge and coordinate home health or rehab services as needed.
• Ensure discharge documentation is complete and compliant with standards.
• Schedule follow-up appointments prior to discharge to reduce readmissions.

Skills

English proficiency

Discharge planning

Team coordination

Communication

Education

Nursing degree (RN)

BSN preferred

Job description

Summary

The Registered Nurse (RN) in this role coordinates and manages discharge planning for surgical patients - ensuring safe - timely - and well-coordinated transitions from inpatient surgical care to home - rehabilitation - or other post-acute settings.

Summary

The Registered Nurse (RN) in this role coordinates and manages discharge planning for surgical patients - ensuring safe - timely - and well-coordinated transitions from inpatient surgical care to home - rehabilitation - or other post-acute settings.

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/13087742
• 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 MSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a MSN with 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 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: Prior experience in surgical - med-surg - or case management services and/or as an inpatient discharge planner
• Strong communication - organizational - and critical thinking skills
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation.
  

Duties

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being
• Duties include - but not limited to: Conduct early and ongoing assessment of surgical patients' discharge needs - including mobility - wound care - medication management - and support systems
• Collaborate with surgeons - nursing staff - physical/occupational therapy - social work - and case management to develop individualized discharge plans
• Educate patients and caregivers on post-surgical care - including wound care - activity restrictions - medication regimens - and warning signs requiring follow-up
• Coordinate referrals for home health - durable medical equipment - skilled nursing facilities - or outpatient rehabilitation as needed
• Identify and address barriers to discharge (e.g. - housing instability - lack of caregiver support - transportation) in coordination with social work
• Ensure discharge documentation is accurate - complete - and compliant with facility and regulatory standards
• Schedule and confirm follow-up appointments prior to discharge
• Monitor and help reduce avoidable readmissions through proactive discharge planning
• Communicate discharge plans clearly to the patient - family - and receiving care providers
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and discharge planning meetings
• 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 to Friday - 7:00am to 3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized