Registered Nurse - Western Market Renal Case Management

Veterans Health Administration • Pittsburgh, PA

14d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a nonsupervisory Registered Nurse Case Management position within the Medicine Service Line at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center, located at the University Drive Campus. The Renal Case Manager ensures care is delivered in accordance with established standards, Medical Center policies and procedures, and the plans of other health care providers. The nurse works to meet patient care needs safely, efficiently, and in a timely manner, while maintaining applicable standards and expectations for the Renal service line.

The position evaluates processes and identifies opportunities for improvement using systems redesign principles. It is responsible for clinic quality and performance measures and requires staying current with applicable VA, Joint Commission, national, state, and local standards and requirements. The nurse provides input on Medical Center, program, and clinic policies and procedures and helps identify and address ethical issues affecting patients and staff. The nurse also provides customer service and serves as a first-line patient advocate for clinic complaints or concerns.

The Renal Case Manager uses the nursing process and evidence-based practice to collaborate with the care team, expanded team, and program leadership on patient-driven care plans, population program plans, and process improvement. The nurse coordinates with internal and external services to facilitate care transitions and continuous improvement, and provides health education to patients and families. The role includes advocating for patients, contributing leadership to the team and programs, and supporting professional growth and development.

Clinical and administrative responsibilities include recommending diagnostic testing, medication adjustments, whole-life management, and other treatment-planning considerations to appropriate Renal team clinicians. The nurse collaborates with Referral Coordination Initiative (RCI) nurses on care routing, helping Veterans determine an appropriate care setting based on clinical input, patient choice, eligibility, Mission Act authorization, service availability, distance, and wait times at VA Pittsburgh, other Western Market facilities, or community providers. Other clinical or administrative assignments, coverage at other clinic locations, and duties assigned by the supervisor or leadership may be required.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Ad hoc telework may be available at the hiring manager’s discretion; this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, subject to the education pathways and exceptions described 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 Graduate Nurse Technician exception described in the announcement.
• Meet the education and professional nursing experience criteria for the Nurse grade and level being considered.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Selected applicants in testing-designated positions must submit to pre-employment urinalysis; refusal results in denial of VA employment.
• Register for Selective Service if male and born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, and application documentation.
• Pass the required pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program for VA Health Care Personnel.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.

Nice To Haves

• Case management experience.
• Renal experience.

Responsibilities

• Ensure renal patient care follows established standards, Medical Center policies and procedures, and care plans developed with other providers.
• Meet patient care needs safely, efficiently, and in a timely manner in accordance with Renal service line and Medical Center expectations.
• Evaluate processes, identify improvement opportunities, and use systems redesign principles to improve care and services.
• Manage clinic quality and performance measures and stay current with VA, Joint Commission, national, state, and local standards and requirements.
• Provide input on Medical Center, program, and clinic policies and procedures and help identify and address ethical issues affecting patients and staff.
• Provide excellent customer service and serve as a first-line patient advocate in response to clinic complaints and concerns.
• Use the nursing process and evidence-based practice to collaborate on patient-driven care plans, population program plans, and process improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal and external services to facilitate care transitions and continuous program improvement.
• Provide health education to patients and families, advocate for patients, and contribute to team and program leadership and professional development.
• Recommend diagnostic testing, medication adjustments, whole-life management, and other treatment-planning considerations to appropriate Renal team clinicians.
• Collaborate with RCI nurses on care routing and help Veterans determine care options based on clinical input, patient choice, eligibility, Mission Act authorization, service availability, distance, and wait times.
• Undertake other clinical or administrative assignments, cover other clinic locations, and perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or leadership.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 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