Registered Nurse - Patient Aligned Care Team

Veterans Health Administration • Washington, DC

23h • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Nurse uses the nursing process and evidence-based practice to collaborate with the teamlet—which includes the patient, primary care provider, PACT RN Care Manager, Health Technician, Pharmacists, and Clerical Associate—and the expanded team, including family members or caregivers, consulting providers, and internal and community-based services. Together, they develop patient-driven care plans for disease prevention and management. The nurse provides evidence-based patient and family health education focused on self-management, prevention, and wellness in accordance with patient goals.

The position supports full PACT implementation and function within the Primary Care setting. The nurse promotes a safe, supportive, non-judgmental, and non-discriminatory care environment that respects adult and elderly patients’ and families’ lifestyles, autonomy, dignity, and rights. The role is described as intermittent; telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying equivalent education as described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; an entry-level Graduate Nurse Technician exception may apply while pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education, experience, and dimension criteria for the applicable Nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis screening for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of VA employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to background and security investigation.
• Complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete application requirements listed in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• Complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment.
• Physical capability requirements include visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity; potentially long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; and possible patient and object transfers.
• May be exposed to infected patients, contaminated materials, and occasionally combative patients; protective clothing may be required in isolation, operative or invasive procedures, or home settings.
• If providing care in home or other off-site settings, may be required to drive or ride in GSA vehicles.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with 3 years of Patient Aligned Care Team experience.
• 5 years of Acute/Critical Care experience.

Responsibilities

• Focus on patient problems and initiate referrals to other disciplines or services when appropriate.
• Accurately document patient findings, assessments, and care provided in the medical record.
• Assign staff to provide care based on their competencies and identify priorities to support safe and effective patient care.
• Demonstrate or explain correct responses to emergencies and initiate effective action during emergencies.
• Apply infection-control precautions appropriate to the patient population.
• Provide non-judgmental, non-discriminatory care that is sensitive to adult or elderly patients’ and families’ lifestyles and preserves autonomy, dignity, and rights.
• Initiate recommended follow-up and administer prescribed therapies using appropriate judgment; evaluate therapies in a pertinent and timely manner.
• Cope with and manage competing priorities.
• Promote full PACT implementation and function within the Primary Care setting.
• Foster a safe and supportive care environment.
• Provide evidence-based patient and family health education focused on self-management, prevention, and wellness based on patient goals.
• Collaborate with the teamlet and expanded care team to develop patient-driven plans for disease prevention and management.

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 5-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 can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree