Registered Nurse - Nursing Surgical Specialty

Veterans Health Administration • Nashville, TN

2d

About The Position

The Surgical Specialty Clinic/Care Coordinator Registered Nurse (RN) applies advanced clinical knowledge and judgment to provide high-quality, evidence-based, patient-centered care to Veterans and their families. The Surgical Care Coordinator is a member of the Surgical Specialty Service who coordinates safe and timely perioperative care for Veterans undergoing surgical procedures, ensures readiness for surgery, collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, and guides Veterans through pre-operative and post-operative care. The position also provides operational support to surgical specialty clinics to support daily workflow, safe patient care, and consistent communication across teams.

The RN is accountable for the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of age-specific care. The role coordinates care across inpatient and outpatient settings, supports patient education and self-management, and works with Veterans, families, caregivers, providers, and community programs to address complex health needs and maintain continuity of care. The RN also contributes to quality improvement, customer service, evidence-based practice, and the professional development of colleagues.

This is a permanent, non-virtual position. The work schedule is based on the needs of the service. Telework may be available on an ad hoc basis. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. VA offers a total rewards package that includes competitive salary with regular increases and possible performance awards; 50 days of paid time off per year, including annual and sick leave and federal holidays; a federal pension and 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions; and federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance. Applicants must meet VA nursing education and licensure requirements, including English-language proficiency and a current, full, active, and unrestricted nursing registration, subject to the stated exceptions.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, subject to the stated VA education and equivalency provisions.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the Graduate Nurse Technician exception described in the posting.
• Meet the education, experience, and grade-level criteria applicable to the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• Ability to meet the position's physical requirements, including recurrent bending, lifting 30 pounds or more, stooping, climbing, twisting, standing or walking for extended periods, reaching and stretching, and frequently pushing medication carts, wheelchairs, litters, or beds.
• Ability to use fingers, both hands, and both legs; maintain emotional stability while caring for Veterans with medical or psychiatric illnesses and potentially unpredictable or assaultive behavior; meet the stated corrected vision and color-discrimination requirements; and hear alarms and respond promptly (hearing aids are permitted).
• Meet VA pre-employment conditions, including U.S. citizenship unless the stated policy exception applies, applicable Selective Service registration, background/security investigation, pre-employment drug screening for testing-designated positions, and pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and complete the required online onboarding and application documentation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate safe, timely, and patient-centered perioperative care for Veterans, including readiness for surgery and guidance through pre-operative and post-operative processes.
• Provide operational support to surgical specialty clinics and help maintain smooth clinic flow, safe care, and consistent team communication.
• Cross-cover high-volume or understaffed surgical clinics in collaboration with nurse managers.
• Coordinate with clinic LPNs and RNs to maintain efficient patient movement, reinforce coverage plans, and minimize clinic-flow disruptions.
• Provide and supervise direct patient care and complete the nursing process, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of age-specific care.
• Coordinate patient management, care, and discharge or disposition planning for inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Help Veterans, family members, and caregivers identify appropriate options and services for complex health care needs.
• Coordinate care among multiple providers and across levels and sites of care, including VA and community programs, to support continuity.
• Address psychosocial, nursing, and medical needs through participation in the interdisciplinary care team.
• Coordinate and expedite care from diagnosis through treatment.
• Analyze and manage laboratory and radiology results and communicate information to providers.
• Use databases for population management and to track patient care across episodes of care.
• Evaluate care and outcomes to ensure services are timely and appropriate.
• Advocate for holistic care through patient and family education and interaction with providers; implement educational plans to meet patient-care needs.
• Participate in unit- or program-level quality-improvement initiatives and customer-service programs.
• Apply evidence-based practice and evaluate practice on an ongoing basis.
• Provide constructive feedback, share knowledge and educational findings with peers, and support colleagues in providing safe, quality nursing care.
• Contribute a professional nursing perspective to interdisciplinary discussions and collaborate to improve outcomes.
• Foster a safe and supportive environment for the professional development of health care professionals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree