Registered Nurse (Case Manager/Social Work)

Veterans Health Administration • Durham, NC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The VA Health System has three vacancies for full-time Registered Nurses in the Social Work Service, Inpatient Case Management Section. The nurse will be qualified and certified to function in a clinical role in accordance with Veterans Affairs Health Care System guidelines and policies. The Registered Nurse serves as a Case Manager for Durham VA Medical Center inpatient medicine teams, coordinating case management services for Veterans admitted to inpatient medicine units. As a core member of the interdisciplinary team, the nurse coordinates safe discharge planning.

The position requires coordinating care management across the continuum of care, assessing Veterans’ needs and resources, identifying barriers and goals, arranging referrals, evaluating outcomes, and documenting findings. The nurse also provides leadership in addressing care and system issues and improving clinical programs and administrative processes. The role is within the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited professional nursing program, or qualifying equivalent education as specified in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception.
• Meet the applicable Nurse grade and level requirements for education and professional or specialized nursing experience.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Complete pre-employment screening and onboarding requirements, including a drug test for applicants selected for testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation/examination.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements, if applicable.
• Be able to work effectively in stressful situations and shift priorities based on patient needs.
• Submit transcripts when relying on education for qualification; foreign education requires the specified equivalency documentation.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of successful Registered Nurse practice.
• Experience working with the Veteran population.
• Case management experience, particularly as a nurse case manager.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, time management, and interdisciplinary teamwork skills.
• Knowledge of VA resources and programs or experience working within the VA system.
• Evidence of certification and specialized knowledge in nurse case management.
• Preferred education: BSN, MSN, or BSN with a master’s degree in a health-related field.
• Preferred certification: ANCC case management certification.

Responsibilities

• Identify Veterans and groups of Veterans who need care management services.
• Assess patients’ needs, issues, resources, and care goals; identify resources and critical factors needed to achieve discharge, post-hospital recovery, and health maintenance or improvement outcomes.
• Investigate complex patient care problems and promptly seek consultation or mobilize resources to meet care needs.
• Assess factors and barriers affecting achievement of care goals across services and organizational entities throughout the continuum of care.
• Evaluate outcomes and document and report findings as needed.
• Use problem-solving methods to address system or process problems affecting patient care, staff performance, or system improvements.
• Identify and evaluate issues and implement processes to improve clinical programs and administrative systems.
• Analyze ethical and care issues, apply appropriate theoretical principles, and ensure institutional policy is followed.
• Initiate referrals based on patients’ healthcare needs, eligibility, and available resources.
• Use and maintain reusable medical equipment in accordance with VA policy and follow procedures for cleaning and reprocessing it.

Benefits

• 50 days of paid time off per year, consisting of 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of 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.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.

What This Job Offers

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