Registered Nurse (RN) - Referral Coordination Team (RCT)

Veterans Health Administration • Tomah, WI

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse (RN) on the Referral Coordination Team (RCT) services consults for the mental health service line at the Tomah, Wisconsin VA Medical Center. This is not a remote or virtual position. The RN applies knowledge of internal referral care processes, clinical review criteria, utilization management standards, clinical documentation requirements, community care regulations, and Veterans Health Administration standards and guidelines. Using nursing knowledge and systems theory, the RN assesses, organizes, facilitates, and guides Veterans through care options, including VA direct care and community care. The RN serves as a liaison to internal and community providers and manages Veterans’ care throughout the consult process. The position supports timely access to care, informed Veteran decision-making, and referral and scheduling into community care when eligible Veterans choose that option.

The role is full-time, Monday through Friday, 0800–1630. Ad-hoc telework may be available as determined by agency policy. The position is permanent and is not authorized for relocation or recruitment incentives. It is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to VHA eligibility and approval. Applications for EDRP must be submitted within four months of appointment; the program office determines approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years). Former EDRP participants are ineligible.

VA offers a total rewards package that includes competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential performance awards, paid leave and federal holidays, a federal pension and 401(k), and federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance. Applicants must meet VA nursing education and licensure requirements, English-language proficiency requirements, and applicable employment conditions. A pre-employment physical evaluation is required.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying nursing education under the stated VA exceptions.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception may apply to candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education, experience, and scope criteria for the assigned VA nurse grade and level.
• Submit a transcript if relying on education to qualify; foreign education requires the specified equivalency documentation.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Pass required pre-employment screening, including a physical evaluation; applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to urinalysis.
• Meet applicable background/security, onboarding, identification, and Selective Service requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program; a probationary period may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Previous professional experience in mental health care settings is highly preferred.
• Previous professional experience in referral or consult management is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Service consults for the mental health service line at the Tomah, Wisconsin VA Medical Center.
• Manage Veterans’ care throughout the consult process and serve as a liaison to internal and community providers.
• Support timely access to care, informed Veteran care decisions, and referral and scheduling into community care for eligible Veterans who choose it.
• Triage incoming referrals, discuss available care options, provide scheduling guidance, and serve as a resource within the service.
• Guide Veterans through VA direct-care and community-care options using a national standardized triage tool.
• Clinically triage consults and referrals between ordering or referring VA providers and specialty care services to confirm appropriate care is requested and required pre-work and tests are complete.
• Comply with VA-mandated health information solutions used to store, exchange, and track referral-care information.
• Collaborate with the Office of Integrated Veteran Care to triage Requests for Services (RFS) and promote in-house service access.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility, subject to program approval and eligibility requirements; awards may be up to $200,000.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• Up to 50 days of paid time off per year, including 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.

What This Job Offers

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