Registered Nurse - Pain Case Management

Veterans Health Administration • Iowa City, IA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse – Pain Case Management provides competent, evidence-based care and manages and coordinates care for Veterans in inpatient and outpatient settings. The nurse helps Veterans, family members, and caregivers access appropriate services for complex health care needs, coordinates care across providers and sites, and addresses patients’ psychosocial, nursing, and medical needs through interdisciplinary practice. The position evaluates care and outcomes to support timely, appropriate services and contributes a professional nursing perspective to the interdisciplinary team. It also involves collaborative leadership, ongoing practice evaluation based on evidence, and participation in efforts to sustain an evidence-based-practice culture.

The role supports the VA Midwest Health Care Network’s Whole Health approach, which empowers Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being through personalized health plans, healing relationships and environments, and community connection. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, either 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program eligibility and approval; award amounts may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying foreign nursing education with required equivalency validation where applicable.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a Graduate Nurse Technician exception may apply for a temporary appointment while pursuing licensure.
• Must meet the education and experience requirements for the applicable VA nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship is required, except when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Selected applicants are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use, a background/security investigation, and a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.
• EDRP applicants must meet VHA eligibility requirements and submit an application within four months of appointment; former EDRP participants are ineligible.

Nice To Haves

• Case management experience.
• Pain management experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients.
• Manage patients, coordinate care, and plan discharge or disposition in inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Assist Veterans, family members, and caregivers in accessing appropriate options and services for complex health care needs.
• Coordinate care with multiple providers across levels and sites of care.
• Address psychosocial, nursing, and medical needs of patients and their families or caregivers through interdisciplinary care management.
• Evaluate care and outcomes to support timely and appropriate provision of services.
• Demonstrate collaborative leadership in delivering and improving holistic care.
• Evaluate nursing practice on an ongoing basis using the best available evidence.
• Contribute a professional nursing perspective to interdisciplinary team discussions.
• Partner with others to effect change and achieve optimal outcomes.
• Participate in activities and strategies that sustain an evidence-based-practice culture.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 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 programs may be carried into retirement.
• Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000.

What This Job Offers

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