Caregiver Support Program-Registered Nurse

About the role

The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) includes the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) and the Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

The Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Provides a state-of-the-art continuum of services, education, and resources to caregivers of Veterans with complex needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide state-of-the-art continuum of services, education, and resources to caregivers of Veterans with complex needs.
• Affirmative action statement: The Veterans Health Administration, including VISN 19 and the VA Sheridan Health Care System, will comply fully with the intention and instructions contained in the "Return to Office" Executive Order. This position will likely be eligible to telework on a limited Ad-Hoc basis only.
• Function in support of caregivers, Veterans, and family members throughout the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) and in community settings.
• Conduct interim and annual home visits to caregivers and Veterans approved in the program and provides assessments via phone and clinical video telehealth.
• Provide referrals and/or consults for Veterans Affairs (VA) services, as well as community-based social services and other non-VA entitlement programs.
• Develop and establish linkages and collaborate on VA caregiver support efforts with community healthcare and social service agencies.
• Possess advanced knowledge and understanding of the services and benefits available for caregivers from both federal, state, and private sector resources.
• Collaborate with the interprofessional team to manage resources, implement services and benefits to improve Veteran outcomes.
• Provide and exhibit knowledge in assessment and monitoring, health restoration, wellness promotion, illness prevention, and coping facilitation.
• Advocate for holistic care through patient/caregiver education and provider interaction and implements an educational plan to meet the patient care needs.
• Collaborate in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and/or guidelines.
• Demonstrate performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve care for a group of patients.
• Provide peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement.
• Support colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care.
• Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals.
• Evaluate outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations.
• Document broad and complex outcomes at the program or service level, that can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility.

Requirements

• Basic Requirements:
• English Language Proficiency.
• 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.)
• 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/12951480.

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements:
• English Language Proficiency.
• 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.)
• 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