Summary
The Registered Nurse (RN) Care Manager is responsible for implementing and evaluating care based on age‑specific components; and the coordination of care focused on patient education - self‑management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. The (RN) Care manager Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. This position may require travel to multiple duty stations within the Cardiology Hub and Spoke Network.
Qualifications
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/12828194
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 visual acuity - keen hearing - clear and effective speech - and manual dexterity
The role may involve extended periods of walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing objects weighing up to 35 pounds - in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Program Directive 2010-032
Assisting with patient and object transfers may be necessary
Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided for safety and efficiency
The employee may be exposed to infectious patients and contaminated materials and may need to wear protective clothing in isolation scenarios - operative or invasive procedures - or home environments
Occasionally - there may be exposure to patients exhibiting combative behavior due to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric conditions
The ideal candidate is a mature - adaptable - and responsible professional capable of working effectively under stress and shifting priorities based on patient needs
Completion of annual Employee Health requirements - such as TB screening or testing - is mandatory for employment
Additionally - employees providing care in home settings or other remote locations may be required to operate or ride in GSA vehicles.
Duties
The Registered Nurse (RN) Care Manager is responsible for delivering competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients
This role involves patient management - care coordination - and discharge/disposition planning
The Care Manager assists Veterans - their families - and caregivers in accessing appropriate options and services to address their complex cardiovascular disease needs
Additionally - the RN coordinates care with multiple providers within the Cardiology Hub and Spoke Network - ensuring seamless integration of services across the Veterans Affairs (VA) system and community programs to maintain continuity of care
The RN Care Manager also addresses the psychosocial - nursing - and medical needs of Veterans and their families or caregivers by collaborating with the interdisciplinary care team
This role involves coordinating and expediting care from diagnosis through treatment - analyzing and managing laboratory and radiology results - and providing relevant information to healthcare providers
The Care Manager utilizes various databases to monitor patient care across all episodes and evaluates care outcomes to ensure timely and appropriate service delivery
Furthermore - the Care Manager advocates for holistic - patient-centered care by providing education to patients and their families - engaging with providers - and implementing educational plans tailored to meet the Veteran's specific care needs
Additional duties may be assigned as necessary - and not all responsibilities are explicitly specified
Preferred Experience: ACLS certification
Bachelor's degree in Nursing or higher educational qualification
a minimum of three (3) years of registered nurse (RN) experience
outpatient cardiology clinic experience
proficient computer skills and Electronic Health Record (EHR) proficiency
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 - 4:30pm Telework: Ad - hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized