Summary

The Nurse - Mammography Navigator is responsible for identifying - facilitating - and coordinating patient-centered care and services and has a crucial role in assisting women veterans to efficiently obtain gender specific services and care - with emphasis on breast imaging screening/diagnostic care coordination/follow up - and coordination of outsourced breast imaging/follow-up.

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
• 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/12793269
• 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/
• Preferred Experience: Minimum of three years as a patient navigation professional is preferred
• Background in breast imaging and intensive care unit experience is preferred
• Breast navigator certification is preferred
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over) Moderate lifting (15 - 44 pounds) Light lifting (under 15 pounds) Moderate carrying (15 - 44 pounds) Light carrying (under 15 pounds) Straight pulling Pulling hand over hand Pushing Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking (8 hours) Standing (8 hours) Kneeling Repeated bending (8 hours) Climbing - use of legs and arms Both legs required Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other Both eyes required Ability to distinguish basic colors Ability to distinguish shades of colors Hearing (aid permitted) Emotional stability Reaching in strained positions Bending and stooping Good dexterity

Duties

• The responsibilities of the Nurse - Mammography Navigator include but are not limited to: Functioning as a liaison and is responsible for planning - coordinating - and performing a wide range of clinical - administrative - program - and technical functions to support quality case management of gender-specific services for veterans
• Working directly with the patients - VA staff - non-VA care providers and organizations - Radiology Departments - Care in the Community - Lead Interpreting Physician - Women Veterans Program Manager and Women's Health Medical Director to achieve seamless care - facilitate patient satisfaction - reduce duplication of services or delay of care - and monitor quality of care and services received
• Coordinating and tracking of breast imaging for patients throughout all aspects of the medical center - including Community Based Outpatient Clinics - as well as community vendors and/or agencies
• Assisting with initial VA consult referrals for breast imaging for the patient with an appropriate provider - to include coordinating any subsequent appointments or follow-up - as needed
• Assisting veterans who have presented to VA or non-VA emergency department for breast imaging
• Coordinating care with the Veterans PACT - breast imaging department and breast imaging departments in the community when appropriate
• Documenting patient care interactions accurately - succinctly - and timely - using appropriate notes - templates - and clinical reminders - in the electronic medical record
• Utilizing and maintaining tracking spreadsheets and systems as required by VHA Directives and Handbooks
• 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: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm - Monday - Friday
• subject to change based on the needs of the facility Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized