Nurse (Caregiver Support Coordinator)

Veterans Health Administration • Durham, NC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Caregiver Support Coordinator (CSC) provides leadership and guidance for developing the facility-level caregiver support program. The role delivers evidence-based clinical services and interventions for caregivers and Veterans; education and consultation for caregivers, Veterans, and staff; community outreach; resource development; continuous quality improvement; and evaluation of caregiver issues.

The CSC assists with daily program operations and compliance with local facility and VA Central Office initiatives. The coordinator collaborates with the Caregiver Support Program team and interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive, equitable, high-quality services to Veterans and caregivers. The position also provides leadership and staff development, facilitates support groups and educational programs, conducts home visits for Veterans and caregivers participating in PCAFC, responds to hotline and other inquiries, and connects people with VA and community resources.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is ad hoc; this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, subject to the stated education alternatives and exceptions.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered professional nurse license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the Graduate Nurse Technician exception.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens under VA policy.
• Valid driver's license.
• Meet the applicable education and experience criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• Minimum of five years of professional nursing practice with more complex leadership assignments; planning, directing, and administering clinical programs (preferred experience stated in the posting).
• Demonstrated expertise in leadership, self-direction, motivation, initiative, and quality management activities (preferred experience stated in the posting).
• Broad familiarity with clinical treatment modalities and administrative and clinical support systems (preferred experience stated in the posting).
• Knowledge of healthcare organizations and multifaceted delivery systems at national, VISN, and facility levels, and their relationship to clinical practice guideline development and implementation (preferred experience stated in the posting).
• Sound decision-making judgment and a strong quality management and/or risk management background (preferred experience stated in the posting).
• Experience providing services in a home environment and experience working as a mental health nurse (preferred experience stated in the posting).
• Demonstrated case management experience (preferred experience stated in the posting).
• Demonstrated ability to use computer systems in support of patient care delivery (preferred experience stated in the posting).
• Hold at least one of the listed certifications: ANCC Ambulatory Care, ANCC Gerontology, ANCC Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, or ANCC Nursing Case Management (certification listed under preferred experience).
• Meet pre-employment requirements, including required background/security investigation, drug screening when applicable, physical evaluation/examination, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Meet physical requirements that include visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity; the role may also require prolonged walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, lifting, pushing, and transferring patients or objects.

Nice To Haves

• Minimum of five years of professional nursing practice with more complex leadership assignments; planning, directing, and administering clinical programs.
• Demonstrated expertise in leadership, self-direction, motivation, initiative, and quality management activities.
• Broad familiarity with clinical treatment modalities and administrative and clinical support systems.
• Knowledge of national, VISN, and facility healthcare delivery systems and their relationship to clinical practice guideline development and implementation.
• Sound decision-making judgment and a strong quality management and/or risk management background.
• Strong history of providing services in a home environment and experience working as a mental health nurse.
• Demonstrated case management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to use computer systems in support of patient care delivery.
• At least one certification: ANCC Ambulatory Care, ANCC Gerontology, ANCC Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, or ANCC Nursing Case Management.

Responsibilities

• Assist with day-to-day Caregiver Support Program operations and ensure compliance and collaboration with local facility and VA Central Office initiatives.
• Collaborate with Caregiver Support Program team members to provide comprehensive healthcare services, equitable access, service, and benefits, and high-quality care to Veterans and caregivers.
• Provide leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs as assigned.
• Serve on facility, VISN, national, or community committees, work groups, and task forces as deemed appropriate by the supervisor or Caregiver Support Program Manager.
• Develop and facilitate caregiver support groups and educational programs, and distribute educational materials from VA and local, state, and national caregiver organizations.
• Conduct regular home visits to Veterans and caregivers participating in PCAFC.
• Respond to calls from the National Caregiver Support Hotline, other telephone calls, and general inquiries about the Caregiver Support Program.
• Assist with general program tasks.
• Advise and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams throughout the medical center on caregiver issues.
• Build positive and effective relationships with Veterans, caregivers, local, state, and federal agencies, and nongovernmental organizations.
• Provide referrals to VA medical and mental health treatment, VA services and benefits, community-based social services, and other non-VA entitlement programs.
• Meet workload expectations, including documentation standards, productivity, and bookable hours; follow current scheduling practices.
• Collaborate with the supervisor to establish clinic grids and make modifications or cancellations.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and 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