Case Manager/Care Coordinator- Registered Nurse

About the role

This RN Case Manager/Care Coordinator position is in the Mental Health service at the VA White River Junction Healthcare System, located in White River Junction, VT. The position is full-time at 40 hours per week. Note: The 2-page resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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 proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of program completion.
• OR individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's 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 a 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 associate degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher than 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).
• 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/13088949

• Nurse I - Level I: Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. Education: 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 needs. Education: 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. Education: 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 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. Education: 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. Education: 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 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

• 3-5 years of inpatient and outpatient mental health experience
• 3-5 years of Case Management experience
• BSN

Physical Requirements

All applicants must be physically able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position. A pre-placement evaluation shall be completed prior to appointment.

Responsibilities

• Promotes personal growth and development of psychiatric-mental health nursing practice
• Gains awareness of the principles and goals of outpatient MH treatment by understanding practices related to patient-centered care, recovery-oriented principles, telehealth, community based care, and self-awareness related to caring for patients living with MH conditions
• Participates in MH interdisciplinary team huddles and meetings; uses therapeutic communication techniques; practices de-escalation techniques; utilizes recovery oriented language; and provides Veterans, their family members, and/or significant others with education regarding their illness, medications, and treatment plan
• Participates in warm hand-off, care coordination, liaising with Inpatient MH Units to facilitate continuity of care, and responds to psychiatric and medical emergencies as directed
• Documents nursing triage assessments, risk screens, clinical reminders, and patient plan of care in accordance with facility policy
• Provides triage for walk-in patients and urgent electronic requests from veterans
• Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient
• Responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients
• Assists in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation
• Independently provides patient centered and recovery-oriented care and maintains self-awareness while caring for patients living with MH conditions
• Facilitates warm hand-offs, telehealth care, and nurse-led psychoeducational groups
• Actively participates in care coordination, liaising with Inpatient MH Units to facilitate continuity of care, MH interdisciplinary