Summary

The Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Registered Nurse (RN) provides direct and indirect nursing care and counseling to Veterans enrolled in the HBPC Program - and their families. This position is a mobile position - requiring daily visits to Veterans in their homes. A valid state-issues driver license is required.

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
• Preferred Experience: Experience in Home Health - Community Health - Public Health - and/or Home Telehealth is highly preferred
• The incumbent must be able to work well with an interdisciplinary team and demonstrate leadership - self-direction - collegiality - and rational problem-solving skills
• Incumbent must have excellent interpersonal skills and strong oral and written communication skills
• Basic computer skills also preferred
• Other preferred qualifications include a BSN and national certifications related to assignment
• 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/12943007
• 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 includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• Examples may include but are not limited to: Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols

Duties

• VISN 12 is committed to fostering and sustaining an environment which celebrates diversity - provides equitable opportunities for employment and promotion - and supports inclusiveness in our culture
• Together - we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that promote professional growth and teamwork - and are inclusive - equitable and welcoming
• We embrace our differences as individuals and unite as a team toward a common goal: to serve our nation's Veterans
• The Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) - Registered Nurse (RN) - performs duties that include but are not limited to the following: Responsible for providing competent - evidence based HBPC to patients with oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants as appropriate to the clinic setting
• This nurse provides direct Veteran care and care coordination - as it pertains - to Veterans and their care within the HBPC Program
• Responsible for case management - assessment - triage - Veteran education - resource coordination - medication and treatment coordination - and care planning
• This nurse plans and delivers technically competent care in the home of Veterans with complex needs - including health promotion - health prevention - geriatric care - primary care - and palliative care
• Utilizes interventions - which maximize health capabilities and reduces unnecessary urgent care and emergency room visits - per Veteran's goals of care
• Makes home visits to Veterans in the program
• The nurse will assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization
• Practice includes directing other providers
• Partners with the patient - family - and interdisciplinary team to promote effective and safe transitions across the health care continuum - including the Veteran's goals of care
• This nurse has fundamental HBPC experience with the situations in which they are ultimately expected to perform - integrating theoretical concepts - basic critical thinking skills - and technically skilled practice
• The RN functions as an integral member of the HBPC interdisciplinary healthcare team to provide care for patients with complex chronic health problems using current home care standards - guidelines - and treatment modalities
• The RN provides staffing coverage across the service area - from the north side of Chicago to the south suburbs - to accommodate employee vacations and ensure continuity of care
• This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments
• 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 per the discretion and approval of the incumbent's direct supervisor
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.