Registered Nurse (Care Coordinator)

Veterans Health Administration • Durham, NC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Durham VA Healthcare System is seeking one experienced Registered Nurse to serve in its Care Coordination Center. The nurse manages patient care and human, fiscal, and material resources, and helps maintain a safe therapeutic environment while ensuring the highest possible quality of care. The role coordinates care for Veterans admitted to local community facilities and supports transitions between VA facilities and VA or community care settings. Care coordination emphasizes patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.

The nurse provides competent, evidence-based care coordination as part of an interdisciplinary team focused primarily on transitions to and from inpatient settings. The position includes patient planning assessments, identifying barriers to successful transitions, and site visits to Veterans admitted to outside hospitals. The nurse coordinates with VA and non-VA departments, community agencies, and healthcare providers, and may assist with nursing education, orientation, competencies, quality improvement, and outcomes-utilization consultation. The role also calls for leadership, ongoing evaluation of practice using best evidence, and support for the professional development of healthcare staff.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is ad hoc; this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. The role is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an approved and appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying nursing education under the stated VA provisions.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a Graduate Nurse Technician temporary-appointment exception is described for candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education and professional nursing experience criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• Ability to meet the position’s physical requirements, including periods of walking, standing, sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, reaching, and bending; lifting and carrying 45 pounds or more; and required visual, hearing, and coordination capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively in stressful situations, adjust priorities to patient needs, and maintain emotional and mental stability.
• Complete annual Employee Health requirements, including annual TB screening or testing.
• Meet stated employment conditions, including U.S. citizenship subject to the stated exception, applicable background and security investigation, pre-employment drug screening for testing-designated positions, pre-employment physical evaluation, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the preferred level of education.
• Knowledge of healthcare resource utilization and/or care management.
• Experience managing, teaching, negotiating, and collaborating with multidisciplinary groups, including community hospital interdisciplinary teams and VA resources, with a Veteran- and family-focused approach.
• Strong knowledge of intra-facility and interfacility transfers of Veterans and care coordination within healthcare facilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage patient care and human, fiscal, and material resources while maintaining a safe therapeutic environment and quality of care.
• Coordinate care for Veterans admitted to local community care facilities and for patients transitioning between VA and VA or community facilities.
• Provide patient education and support self-management and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Apply the nursing process, including systematic data gathering, assessment, and nursing judgment, to support positive patient outcomes.
• Assess patient transition plans, identify barriers, and coordinate activities needed for transitions into and out of acute inpatient settings.
• Perform site visits to Veterans admitted to outside hospitals.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and coordinate with VA and non-VA departments, community agencies, and healthcare providers.
• Participate in unit- or program-level quality improvement initiatives and customer service programs.
• Assist in directing nursing education, orientation, and competency activities, and provide quality-improvement and outcomes-utilization consultation.
• Demonstrate leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies.
• Evaluate practice on an ongoing basis using the best available evidence and support a safe environment conducive to healthcare professionals’ development.
• Perform other assigned duties.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year, comprising 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree