Registered Nurse- Patient Aligned Care Team

About the role

This position is a Registered Nurse for Patient Care Aligned Team (PACT) located in Traverse City, Michigan. The Registered Nurse - PACT executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex primary care.

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.
• Education: 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.
  • Individuals in a master's level bridge program who have completed coursework equivalent to a BSN may become registered with a state licensing board prior to completion; upon licensure may be appointed temporarily and later converted to permanent upon graduation.
  • Graduates of foreign nursing schools: possession of a current, full, active, unrestricted registration meets the requirement for graduation from an approved school for associate degree/entry level. Credit for higher foreign education requires formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized evaluator (e.g., International Consultants of Delaware).
• Licensure: Current, full, active, unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates meeting education requirements but lacking licensure may be appointed at the entry step as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment (extendable up to two years case-by-case) while pursuing licensure.
• Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA in the 0610 series performing described duties on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held.

Grade Determinations

Grade and level are determined by scope, education, and dimension criteria (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, Evidence-Based Practice/Research). Dimension details are in the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13093976

• Nurse I – Level I: Delivers fundamental knowledge-based care while developing technical competencies. Education: ADN or Diploma in Nursing, no additional experience required.
• Nurse I – Level II: Integrates biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills, technically competent care for basic or complex clients. Education: ADN/Diploma + 1 year specialized experience equivalent to Nurse I Level I; OR BSN with no experience required.
• Nurse I – Level III: Proficient practice based on deliberate planning; self-directed goal setting for complex situations. Education: ADN/Diploma + 2 years experience (1 year equivalent to Nurse I Level II); OR BSN + 1 year experience equivalent to Nurse I Level II; OR MSN with no experience; OR Master's in related field with BSN and no experience.
• Nurse II: Leadership in delivering/improving holistic care through collaborative strategies. Education: BSN + 2 years experience equivalent to Nurse I Level III; OR MSN + 1 year experience equivalent to Nurse I Level III; OR Master's in related field with BSN + 1 year experience equivalent to Nurse I Level III; OR Doctoral in Nursing with no experience; OR Doctoral in related field with BSN and no experience.
• Nurse III: Leadership, experience, creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond immediate practice setting. Education: MSN + 2 years specialized experience (1 year equivalent to Nurse II) meeting all Nurse III dimension requirements; OR Master's in related field with BSN + 2 years specialized experience (1 year equivalent to Nurse II) meeting dimension requirements; OR Doctoral in Nursing + 1 year experience equivalent to Nurse II meeting dimension requirements; OR Doctoral in related field with BSN + 1 year experience equivalent to Nurse II meeting dimension requirements.

Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Reference: https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Preferred Experience

Case Management experience preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Clinical position with physicality normally associated with direct patient care for potentially long periods: walking, standing, stooping, bending, sitting, reaching, pushing, pulling.
• Moderate lifting/carrying not greater than 35 pounds following Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) guidelines; proper body mechanics required, assistance or mechanical lifts for weights >35 lbs.
• Adequate vision to accurately perform duties, distinguish basic colors, assess patients and environment safely.
• Hearing ability to perform assigned duties; hearing aids permitted.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent, evidence-based gender-specific care to primary care patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants as appropriate.
• Provide direct Veteran care and care coordination within the Primary Care Department.
• Manage assigned panel(s), utilize registries, ensure appropriate evaluation and access for patient panels.
• Provide health promotion, health education, and coaching on wellness, disease prevention, and chronic care management.
• Assist in directing nursing education, orientation, competencies, quality improvement, and outcomes utilization.
• Demonstrate leadership in delivering and improving holistic primary care through collaborative strategies.
• Evaluate practice on an ongoing basis based on best evidence.
• Provide peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement.
• Foster a safe, supportive environment conducive to professional development of healthcare professionals.
• Contribute professional outpatient nursing perspective in interdisciplinary team discussions.
• Partner with others to effect change and produce optimal outcomes.
• Support colleagues through knowledge sharing for safe, quality outpatient nursing care.
• Share educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers.
• Question PACT clinical practices to provide evidence-based care.
• Participate in activities and strategies to sustain an evidence-based practice culture.

Benefits

• Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards.
• Paid Time Off: 50 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5-year vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% VA contributions.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long-term care (many programs portable into retirement).
• Licensure: