Registered Nurse - Outpatient Primary Care PACT Vaccine Clinic

Veterans Health Administration • Fayetteville, AR

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Vaccine Clinic Registered Nurse (RN) provides direct staff and Veteran support in the Vaccine Clinic, or Primary Care Team (PACT) under the guidance of the Nurse Manager within Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. The RN provides care and counseling of persons in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process which includes systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling; provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being; and executing medical regimens including administering medications and treatments prescribed by a licensed or otherwise legally authorized provider. The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses). The RN works collaboratively with all levels of staff within the facility, ensuring that all health and safety standards are met to safeguard the health and well-being of employees across the organization. Responsible for running and development of seasonal vaccine initiatives, or if needed in pandemic events. Seasonal vaccine events include outreach and in-reach activities which may include off tour activities. Education of staff and patients to promote vaccine initiatives. Knowledge of Immunization administration, contraindications, screening requirements, safety, storage, standing orders and associated reporting systems to provide operational continuity of Vaccine Clinic. Includes workflow expectations for walk-in vaccination services. Collaboration with Pharmacy, Logistics, Environmental service, Public Affairs, Facilities Management to ensure proper supply levels and vaccine availability. Knowledge of Motivational Interviewing techniques to promote health literacy and effective communication. Knowledge of data systems associated with HEDIS and wellness activites. Expert knowledge and ability to function as a Primary Care, Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) nurse leader. Knowledge of how clinical reminders affect wellness HEDIS metrics. Actively working with Health Promotion on performance improvement activities associated with HEDIS metric improvement. Including care coordination and follow up wellness activities. Participation in communication and associated activities surrounding Healthy Living Messages (Sleep Well, Immunizations, Involvment in care, Manage Stress, Tobacco Free, Limit Alcohol, Be Safe, Healthy Weight, Physically Active, Eat Wisely). Ensures adherence to VHA influenza program requirements, including proper reporting of vaccine administration and adverce reactions and associated reporting systems. and/or data-driven outcomes for an identified patient population and/or specialized areas within immediate practice setting.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by either The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.
• Must complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• 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.)
• Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct staff and Veteran support in the Vaccine Clinic, or Primary Care Team (PACT).
• Provides care and counseling for health promotion, maintenance, illness prevention, and injury prevention.
• Conducts systematic data gathering, assessment, and evaluation of human responses to health problems.
• Performs case finding, health teaching, and health counseling.
• Provides care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being.
• Executes medical regimens, including administering medications and treatments.
• Works collaboratively with all levels of staff to ensure health and safety standards are met.
• Runs and develops seasonal vaccine initiatives and supports pandemic events.
• Conducts outreach and in-reach activities for seasonal vaccine events, potentially including off-tour activities.
• Educates staff and patients to promote vaccine initiatives.
• Applies knowledge of immunization administration, contraindications, screening requirements, safety, storage, standing orders, and reporting systems.
• Manages workflow expectations for walk-in vaccination services.
• Collaborates with Pharmacy, Logistics, Environmental Service, Public Affairs, and Facilities Management for supply levels and vaccine availability.
• Utilizes Motivational Interviewing techniques for health literacy and effective communication.
• Applies knowledge of data systems associated with HEDIS and wellness activities.
• Functions as a Primary Care, Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) nurse leader.
• Understands how clinical reminders affect wellness HEDIS metrics.
• Works with Health Promotion on performance improvement activities for HEDIS metric improvement.
• Engages in care coordination and follow-up wellness activities.
• Participates in communication activities surrounding Healthy Living Messages.
• Ensures adherence to VHA influenza program requirements, including reporting of vaccine administration and adverse reactions.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
• 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (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