Clarification from the agency

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

The Registered Nurse - Patient Care Coordinator (General Surgery) is a professional registered nurse whose primary purpose is to be responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process, including systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. The nurse assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific components. The nurse assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transitions through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction. The nurse considers all characteristics of the individual, including age and life stages, state of health, race, culture, and previous experiences. The nurse administers medications and performs procedures per established policies and guidelines. The nurse influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. Core elements of performance include knowledge of and active participation in unit/program-level quality improvement processes and initiatives, as well as customer service programs.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Schedule surgical patients for both the Cleveland VA Medical Center and Outpatient Surgery Center locations utilizing appropriate OR block time for the appropriate level of patient care
• Track, analyze, and manage pre-operative evaluations, laboratory, and radiology results and provide information to providers as well as identify concerns
• Assist providers with communicating and tracking patient results in a timely manner as directed in VHA Directive 1088
• Assist providers with tracking and communicating surveillance results and survivorship care for surgical oncology patients and critically complex patients
• Provide evidence-based education, information, and materials for surgical patients and families
• Coordinate and assist patients with scheduling difficulties such as multiple time-sensitive appointments in various departments, in short periods of time
• Coordinate and assist patients and families with accommodations and transportation required to complete surgical procedures and provide care without delays
• Advocate for holistic care through patient and family education and provider interaction and implement an educational plan to meet the patient care needs
• Collaborate routinely with multidisciplinary groups such as oncology/hematology, radiation therapy, interventional radiology, pathology, and the Cancer Care Committee to carry out recommended treatment in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with VISN 10 facilities to complete Inter-Facility Consults to provide cost-efficient treatment, in lieu of outsourcing and maintaining continuity of care. Assist with expediting care by scheduling appointments, coordinating transportation and accommodations for patients and families
• Collaborate with non-VA health systems and facilities to retrieve required progress notes, imaging CDs, and procedure reports for surgical planning and continuity in care to ensure best outcomes
• Assist patients with completing require employment and insurance documentation such as FMLA forms, return to work/duty forms, short-term and long-term insurance forms
• Return phone calls
• In office clerical duties such as answer phone, faxing, scanning

Preferred Experience:

• BSN or higher
• Minimal 1-3 years RN experience in outpatient clinic setting
• Surgical/procedural experience
• General Surgery experience
• Case manager experience or evidence of coordinating complex patient care
• Strong critical/clinical thinking skills

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; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Telework: May be authorized at supervisor's discretion (Ad-hoc)
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Position Descriptions applicable to this position: 95162A, 95163A, 95164A, 95165A, 95166A

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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/13108245. *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: The Nurse - Patient Care Coordinator (General Surgery) position must be able to sit or stand for several hours daily while interacting with patients, employees, and providers via computer and/or phone. A dedicated, ergonomic workspace is required to minimize strain, with proper desk height, wrist positioning, and monitor placement. Proficiency with keyboard and mouse use is essential for efficient electronic medical record operation, requiring frequent hand dexterity for data entry and communication. Requires adequate vision to accurately perform the assigned duties, distinguish basic colors and assess patients and the environment safely. The position requires the ability to hear at a level to perform the assigned duties, and the use of hearing aids is permitted. In addition, this administrative nurse/clinical position includes a level of physicality normally associated with inpatient care, including bending, grasping, kneeling, performing moderation lifting, carrying tasks of up to 35 pounds per the Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) guidelines and using an appropriate mechanical lift. Candidate must possess the ability to pivot their waist and neck, push and pull items not greater than 35 pounds and reach within a five-foot distance or above shoulder height. The position requires sitting, squatting, standing, walking and twisting, alongside wrist flexion and extension. Employees are expected to employ proper body mechanics during lifting.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Areas of Consideration - Applicants will be considered based on the following 3 areas of consideration.

• First Area of Consideration (Facility Employees) - Current, permanent VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System employees (this includes Outpatient Clinics, permanent employees of the Veteran Canteen Service assigned to this facility, Office of Information & Technology employees assigned to this facility, CPAC bargaining unit employees located at the Cleveland VAMC, and Virtual CBOPC bargaining unit employees under station 541 located at the Cleveland VAMC.
• Second Area of Consideration (Other VA Employees) - Current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Employees (VA employees who are located somewhere other than the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System).
• Third Area of Consideration (External Candidates) - All other United States Citizens.

Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)

The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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