Summary

Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age­ specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with the interdisciplinary team.

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: BSN or Higher preferred Transplant and/or advanced liver disease experience preferred 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/12813654
• 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: VA Regulations - specifically VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard
• This can be found in the local Human Resources Office
• Physical Requirements: Walking - bending - stooping - and some lifting in the direct care of patients
• There may also be extended periods of sitting
• This position also requires that the staff member be able to wear a lead apron for an extended period of time.

Duties

• Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs
• The Liver RN Coordinator works under the direction of the attending surgeon - and hepatologist - and within a multidisciplinary team and is responsible for the coordination of care for patients in outpatient setting and for inpatient education
• The patient population includes patients being referred and evaluated for transplant - those currently listed for transplant - post­ transplant patients
• He/she serves as a liaison between the Transplant Program and the many other disciplines that assist in caring for transplant patients
• The Liver RN Coordinator will interface with physicians - fellows - residents - nurse practitioners - pharmacists - social workers - service program support assistants and clerks
• He/she will cover a broad range of activities for patients in the referral - evaluation - peri­ operative - and post-operative phases of transplantation
• This may include tracking results of scheduled tests and imaging - obtaining outside records - ordering imaging and laboratory testing per protocol - providing patient and family education - triage - discharge planning - and post­ hospitalization follow up
• The RN Coordinator will assist the team in providing emotional and educational support to veterans - their families - and caregivers as needed
• The RN Coordinator_ is responsible for managing and coordinating comprehensive nursing care for patients whose needs range from uncomplicated to complex and rapidly changing
• The Liver RN Transplant Coordinator completes focused assessments of outpatients
• He/she orders laboratory testing - radiographic tests - consults - and provides medication adjustments following written protocol
• The RN Coordinator communicates frequently with referring providers to coordinator all aspects of transplant
• The RN serves as a clinical resource for other interdisciplinary team members and addresses system issues as they arise
• The Liver RN Coordinator completes necessary documentation to maintain compliance with VA National Surgery office (NSO) regulation and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) requirements - including presentation of patients at the Patient Review Committee meetings
• The Liver RN Coordinator provides 'on-call' services during non-administrative hours for patients and medical/nursing staff at the hospital and home VA medical centers who need guidance concerning the triage of transplant patients - and for arranging and organizing transplant operations VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: 0700-1530 - Monday-Friday Telework: Yes
• Ad-Hoc - as determined by the agency policy Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required