Registered Nurse, Care Manager/Coordinator (Interventional Pain Management)

Veterans Health Administration • Salt Lake City, UT

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Anesthesia Pain Nurse, Interventional Pain Management Care Manager/Coordinator provides direct patient care across Interventional, Chronic, and Transitional Pain services. The nurse coordinates care between patients and providers, assists with interventional pain procedures and conscious/moderate sedation, conducts patient outreach and education, facilitates communication across the care team, and supports coordinated care throughout Veterans’ treatment journeys.

The role serves as a nurse care manager/coordinator for patients in the Interventional Pain service and supports outpatient clinic operations. It includes clinical assessment and care planning, telephone triage and follow-up, patient and family education, electronic health record documentation, appointment coordination, collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, and contributions to quality improvement and evidence-based practice. The nurse also supports Pain Service leadership and continuity of nursing services across the Interventional, Chronic, and Transitional Pain programs.

The position is located within the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System. Work is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; compressed scheduling of nine-hour days is available. Telework and virtual work are not available. The position requires a current, full, active, and unrestricted U.S. nursing registration, qualifying nursing education, and English proficiency. Applicants must meet the applicable VA Nurse grade requirements. Preferred experience includes two years in pain management and two years in ICU/critical care.

The work involves substantial standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning; repositioning and transferring patients; and potentially pushing or lifting more than 50 pounds. The nurse may work with arms above shoulder level or the neck flexed or extended, encounter infectious patients or contaminated materials, use protective clothing, and occasionally encounter combative patients. The nurse must be able to work effectively in stressful situations and adjust priorities according to patient needs.

Requirements

• Graduate from a professional nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or meet the stated VA education provisions for bridge-program or foreign-school graduates.
• Hold current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse licensure in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. The posting also describes a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician exception for eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Demonstrate proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Meet the education and specialized nursing experience requirements for the applicable VA Nurse grade and level.
• Be able to perform the position’s activities without restriction, including the stated physical demands.
• Meet VA employment conditions, including U.S. citizenship subject to the stated policy exception, applicable Selective Service registration, background/security investigation, pre-employment physical evaluation, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Successfully complete required onboarding and provide acceptable identification.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of experience in Pain Management.
• Two years of experience in ICU/Critical Care.

Responsibilities

• Provide and oversee direct patient care using the nursing process, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Serve as nurse care manager/coordinator for patients enrolled in the Interventional Pain service.
• Assist providers with patient assessments, interventional pain procedures, and procedural conscious/moderate sedation.
• Triage patient telephone calls and address clinical concerns in a timely manner.
• Educate patients and families about pain management, treatment plans, procedures, self-management strategies, and risk mitigation.
• Coordinate and support outpatient clinic operations for efficient patient care delivery.
• Document assessments, interventions, care coordination activities, and patient outcomes in CPRS.
• Use evidence-based pain management and overdose prevention practices for Veterans receiving Chronic Pain Management services.
• Conduct care-management communications by telephone and secure messaging to evaluate treatment effectiveness and patient progress.
• Promote Veteran engagement in non-pharmacologic pain management interventions and Whole Health approaches.
• Coordinate appointments, verify safety criteria, and address barriers to timely access to services.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members, ancillary services, and referring providers to optimize patient outcomes.
• Lead and participate in quality improvement initiatives, outcome measurement, and evidence-based practice projects.
• Guide, mentor, and educate nursing staff and other healthcare professionals on pain management and patient care.
• Support team building through professional communication, collaboration, and promotion of a positive work environment.
• Use critical thinking and analytical skills to identify process improvements and enhance patient care delivery.
• Maintain knowledge of chronic pain guidelines, policies, regulations, motivational interviewing, and available Veteran resources.
• Assist Pain Service leadership with service management and operational initiatives as assigned.
• Ensure cross-coverage and continuity of nursing services across Interventional, Chronic, and Transitional Pain services.
• Cross-train in Chronic, Transitional, and Interventional Pain subspecialties.
• Perform additional clinical and administrative duties as assigned by leadership.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 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 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 may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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