Summary

The VA Texas Valley Coast Bend Health Care System - Harlingen - TX is seeking a Registered Nurse Case -Caregiver Support Coordinator (Geriatric Service) to assists family caregivers with the psychosocial and emotional stressors of caring for an ill - injured - or disabled Veteran - as well as provides resources linking the caregiver to VA health care and community services.

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: 5 years experience working in community care program or home health
• 2 years experience working mental health nursing
• 2 years of case management experience
• 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/12968511
• 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: Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds
• Moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• Straight pulling (0.5 hours)
• Pushing (0.5 hours)
• Use of fingers
• Reaching above shoulders
• Walking (5.3 hours)
• Standing (5.3 hours)
• Repeated bending (5.3 hours)
• Climbing - use of legs and arms
• Operation of motor vehicle
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Both eyes required
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Hearing (aid may be permitted).

Duties

• The Registered Nurse (Caregiver Support Coordinator-Geriatric Services) will completes a comprehensive clinical assessment at the initial home visit/evaluation - coordinates referrals to VA and community-based resources and programs and provides ongoing evaluation of services every 120 days
• The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) RN also completes Veteran Functional Assessments for Veterans and Home Care Assessments for Veteran and listed Caregivers for in process applications via VVC
• Functional Assessments can be completed in clinic
• Home Care Assessments must be completed in the home
• Evaluates patients across all six counties covered by the VATVCBHCS
• Assesses patient's and caregiver's progress - caregiver burden - and home care needs at each visit
• (Wellness visits are scheduled every 120 day - 1 visit needs to be face-to-face - the other 2 visits can be completed via Telephone or VVC)
• Visits are documented on National CG templates for both Veteran and all Caregiver(s) listed
• Assesses - coaches - and supports the caregiver to perform the skills necessary to deal with the Veteran's mental illness needs
• Provides education and in-service training to VA Health System employees - Veterans - family - and Caregivers in the CSP
• Performs a periodic home visit to Caregivers and Veterans who are not receiving a full home care program from the VA but require a review of the skills and abilities of the Caregiver
• Works directly with the VATVCBHCS CSP Manager for VATVCBHCS to facilitate caregiver support groups and educational programs
• Demonstrates advanced clinical knowledge in assessing planning - implementing - documenting - and evaluating care for a designated group of patients
• Triages and applies a collaborative team approach in identifying - analyzing - and resolving patient care problems
• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team - patients - and care providers
• Maintains current knowledge of multidisciplinary resources - programs - and services - referring patients for community resources as appropriate
• Reviews options with patients and families - including costs - alternatives - risks/benefits - and services
• Actively educates the patient and family on disease process - resources - plan of care - treatments - and /or procedures
• Advocates fiscal responsibility through effective utilization of resources - to include medical supplies and non-traditional appointments
• Provides Care Management to patients with Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSCs) including reviewing the patient record - decides if the patient needs more in-depth education (formal or informal)
• nursing visits and/or telephone calls between provider visits to assist in care management
• Collaborates with the High-Risk Care Coordinators - Home Telehealth - and/or other referrals for care management
• Reviews Message Manager and assists Team to address/complete pending alerts communicated throughout tour of duty to facilitate care and address needs of the caller within 48 hours Provides patients with personalized - proactive - and patient-driven health care through such activities as assisting in developing a personal health plan - listening to the patient - and addressing their needs/goals - engaging in group appointments - encouraging - and supporting Telehealth modalities - and creating an environment that benefits the Veteran
• Delivers patient centered care to all patients and employs population health management principles to optimize health and wellbeing for the patient through such activities as use of evidenced-based practice recommendations
• Completes clinical reminders - tracks high risk behaviors - maintains an awareness of access with an awareness of third next available appointments
• Assists the patient to develop coping mechanisms - assists the patient to identify health care goals and actions to meet those goals and evaluate progress
• Supports patient-driven care in a safe - efficient manner - using evidence-based principles
• Actively educates the patient and family on health promotion and disease prevention strategies and options for care and treatment
• Demonstrates flexibility and adapts to work demands or adjustment of assignment
• Performs other tasks as requested by providers or supervising nursing personnel within the scope of training and abilities
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00 a.m
• - 4:30 p.m.) 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