Summary

The Telephone Triage RN provides care and counseling of persons based upon the nursing process which includes systematic data gathering - assessment - appropriate nursing judgment - and evaluation of human responses to health problems through such services as case finding - health teaching - health counseling - provision of care supportive to well-being - and executing medical regimens including administering medications and/ or treatments prescribed by a licensed or legally authorized provider.

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
• Preferred Experience: Preferred BSN in Nursing - with two years direct patient care experience in Patient Aligned Care Team PACT
• Must be willing to travel
• Experience in managing EQM and multiple Pact assignments 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/12777731
• 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: Compliant with the following physical standards and environmental factors: Heavy lifting - 50 pounds & over Heavy carrying - 50 pounds & over Straight pulling (1-2 hours) Pushing (1-2 hours) Walking (2-4 hours) Use of fingers Both hands required Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously Near Vision correctable Far Vision correctable Depth perception Hearing (aide permitted) Work closely with others - as well as - protracted or irregular hours of work Use stretchers to transfer patients and use patient lifts - if applicable Preferred Experience: BSN in Nursing - with two years direct patient care experience in Patient Aligned Care Team PACT
• Must be willing to travel
• Experience in managing EQM and multiple Pact assignments.

Duties

• The Telephone Triage RN duties consist of but are not limited to: Directs care for a panel of patients throughout the continuum of care to ensure that care is timely - appropriate - high quality - and cost-effective
• Works closely with program staff - the primary care provider (or providers) - Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) members and other healthcare professionals throughout the health care system - internal or external services and community agencies - and medical center leadership
• Provides professional assessment - coordination - and planning of multiple health care services acts on behalf of the Veteran to assure that necessary clinical services are received - and that progress is being made
• Provides ongoing evaluation of care management services provided to Veterans
• Providing initial and ongoing comprehensive assessment - including a review of systems that establish a comprehensive plan of care
• The Telephone Triage RN identifies - analyzes - and prioritizes problems and interventions and sets appropriate measurable goals (i.e. - Specific - Measurable - Attainable - Realistic - and Timely [SMART] goals)
• The treatment plan is an extension of the Veteran's primary care plan and is completed in collaboration with PACT - HBPC - mental health care - and other specialty care services - as appropriate for each Veteran enrolled in the program
• Triaging and assessing all data received from RPM-HT Program patients - such as vital signs - reported symptoms - and question responses
• The Care Coordinator will review daily responses each workday and contact Veterans about worrisome responses and trends - significant changes in condition - or changes in other specific data elements received - as clinically appropriate
• Ideally - Care Coordinators should contact Veterans when responses indicate that an issue may be developing in order to provide education - offer self-management tips - and assist with problem-solving - rather than waiting until a red alert shows that the situation may be out of control
• The incumbent completes an assessment of patients who may have multiple and complex comorbidities that necessitate additional coordination of care and case management to ensure easily accessible - continuous - high-quality care across all settings
• The incumbent provides ongoing professional assessment and case management to an adult population of predominantly (but not limited to) older male patients
• Completes assessment and plan of care on assigned patients and provides individualized nursing care
• Conduct ongoing reassessments to evaluate changes in patients' status
• Identifying and intervening to address potential exacerbations or complications in order to facilitate timely care in a clinic - emergency response urgent care setting - or care in the community
• 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 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: 08:00am - 04:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: 100% Within Area Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized