Care Coordinator Registered Nurse (RN)

Veterans Health Administration • West Haven, CT

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Care Coordinator Registered Nurse (RN) works in the Specialty service at the West Haven VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven, Connecticut. This full-time role focuses on individual growth and development in nursing practice with increasing self-direction. The RN responds to patient and provider requests, supports customer satisfaction, and applies an understanding of surgical procedures to coordinate outpatient care.

The nurse prepares patients for surgical and medical procedures, including procedures involving sedation or anesthesia in the Cardiovascular Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab). The role coordinates patient education, self-management, care transitions, discharge and disposition planning, and interdisciplinary assessments in the pre-procedure period. Coordination may include anesthesia evaluations, validation of ordered testing, transportation and lodging arrangements, identification of scheduling barriers, and planning for post-procedure care. The RN provides patients and families with individualized education about the plan of care, transportation, and physical preparation, advocates for patients, and responds to concerns.

The RN collaborates with specialty clinic staff, Cath Lab staff, anesthesia providers, and other care providers; follows established policies and guidelines; and contributes to clinic performance metrics and continuous quality improvement. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, with a day-shift schedule Monday through Friday. Ad-hoc telework may be available under agency policy; this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, subject to the stated exceptions for qualifying bridge-program candidates and foreign nursing graduates.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the Graduate Nurse Technician exception described in the posting.
• Education and experience meeting the applicable Nurse grade and level criteria; qualifying education may include an ADN or nursing diploma, BSN, MSN, or doctoral degree, with experience requirements varying by grade and level.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and, for the specified nursing degrees, accredited by ACEN or CCNE.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation/examination and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Subject to background/security investigation and possible probationary period.
• Must meet applicable federal onboarding, identification, and application-document requirements.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Ability to meet the physical demands listed in the posting, including lifting, carrying, reaching above shoulder, finger use, walking and standing for up to 8 hours, repeated bending, working alone, protracted or irregular hours, and occasional emotional strain.

Nice To Haves

• Three to five years of nursing experience.
• Care coordination or case management experience.
• Vast knowledge of procedures and perioperative management.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient management, care coordination, and discharge/disposition planning in the outpatient setting.
• Prepare patients professionally and individually for surgical and medical procedures, including procedures involving sedation and anesthesia in the Cardiovascular Catheterization Laboratory.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Follow established procedures, policies, and guidelines.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to influence care outcomes and facilitate appropriate pre-procedure patient assessments.
• Coordinate anesthesia evaluations and validate testing ordered by surgeons and adjunct providers.
• Arrange or coordinate transportation assistance and lodging, identify potential scheduling roadblocks, and alert the care team.
• Assist patients in planning for post-procedure care and provide patient and family education about the care plan, transportation, and individualized physical preparation.
• Advocate for patients, answer inquiries, and resolve patient concerns.
• Collaborate with specialty clinic staff, Cath Lab staff, anesthesia providers, and adjunct providers to ensure patients are prepared for procedures.
• Maintain metrics related to clinic performance goals and objectives and participate in continuous quality improvement projects.
• Prioritize care for Veterans and demonstrate customer service principles in all aspects of work.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree