Career Center

Summary

The Community Living Center (CLC) Minimum Data Set (MDS) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for coordinating patient care with a focus on education - self-management - and overall satisfaction throughout the healthcare continuum. This role includes administering medications and procedures in accordance with established policies and guidelines. The RN collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to positively impact patient outcomes.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12822428
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - excellent hearing - clear and articulate speech - and manual dexterity
• The role may involve sustained periods of walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing - with the ability to handle weights of up to 35 pounds in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Program Directive 2010-032
• Responsibilities may include transferring patients and objects - with mechanical inpatient lifts provided for assistance
• The incumbent may be exposed to infectious patients and contaminated materials and may need to don protective clothing in isolation environments - during operative or invasive procedures - or in home care settings
• Occasionally - exposure to patients exhibiting combative behavior due to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric conditions may occur
• The candidate must be mature - adaptable - and able to work effectively under stress - with the flexibility to prioritize tasks based on patient needs
• Completion of annual Employee Health requirements - such as TB screening or testing - is required as a condition of employment
• For those providing care in home or off-site settings - driving or riding in GSA vehicles may be necessary.

Duties

• The Community Living Center (CLC) Minimum Data Set (MDS) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for delivering expert - evidence-based care to residents - supervising licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate to the setting
• This role includes providing guidance in nursing education - orientation - competencies - and supporting quality improvement initiatives to enhance resident outcomes
• The RN integrates knowledge - skills - abilities - and judgment - and is self-directed in setting goals to manage complex situations
• This RN is responsible for coding the sections of the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI)/MDS Assessment and the Care Area Assessments (CAAs) assigned to nursing - ensuring adherence to the current timeframes established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
• Within this position - the RN's focus is on the completion of the assigned nursing sections in the RAI/MDS Assessment
• The RN participates in the CLC Interdisciplinary Team care plan meetings - reviews - communicates - and monitors residents' care plans
• They collaborate with the CLC Resident Assessment Coordinator (RAC) to educate staff on the RAI/MDS process - including documentation requirements for accurate data entry - and provide educational sessions on RAI/MDS software and updates as needed
• The RN supports quality improvement activities based on CLC quality management data and assists in maintaining survey readiness
• Additionally - the RN documents and takes corrective action when notified by CLC management - charge nurses - or designees of any discrepancies in coding or documentation of RAI/MDS assessments and CAAs identified during interrater reliability reviews
• The RN demonstrates competence in clinical practice and decision-making - employs deliberate planning - and utilizes critical thinking skills to ensure high-quality resident care
• Preferred Experience: Long-term care in a skilled nursing facility is preferred
• Rehabilitation experience is a plus and will be considered in lieu of long-term care experience
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized