Summary

The Caregiver Support Program Nurse for the Caregiver Support Program (CSP) oversees the eligibility and daily operations of the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) and General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS). Responsibilities include assessing - planning - implementing - and evaluating patient care - adhering to guidelines - collaborating with interdisciplinary teams - and demonstrating leadership.

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/12990534
• 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
• Preferred Qualifications: BSN
• progressive professional nurse experience - including experience in case management and patient assessment
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required
• Case Management Certification (CCM) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: It is VA policy to ensure that all selected applicants and employed personnel are physically - mentally and emotionally fit to perform the duties of the position to which assigned
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on organizational needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual Influenza vaccination - TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment.

Duties

• The role involves conducting home visits - providing referrals - and ensuring comprehensive care and program performance within the assigned Veterans Integrated Systems Network (VISN)
• The Clinical Assessor for the Caregiver Support Program (CSP) is responsible for understanding the eligibility criteria for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) and managing the daily operations of the CSP within the assigned Veterans Integrated Systems Network (VISN)
• This includes both PCAFC and the Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) under the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
• The Clinical Assessor is accountable for the full nursing process when providing direct patient care - focusing on age-specific assessments - planning - implementation - and evaluation
• They ensure coordination of care centered on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction - following established policies and guidelines - and influencing care outcomes by collaborating with interdisciplinary teams
• The CSP Clinical Assessor demonstrates leadership - experience - and innovative approaches to managing complex patient care
• They provide health maintenance counseling and preventive care based on systematic data gathering - appropriate nursing judgment - and evaluation of human responses to health problems
• The Clinical Assessor possesses in-depth knowledge of PCAFC - PGCSS - clinical documentation requirements - current standards of care - and regulatory compliance guidelines
• They use critical thinking and sound judgment to ensure comprehensive care options for Veterans and caregivers
• The Clinical Assessor conducts home visits for program-approved caregivers and Veterans and provides assessments at VA facilities - via phone - or telehealth
• They offer referrals and consultations to VA and community-based social services - collaborating with interdisciplinary teams for case reviews prioritizing high inter-rater reliability - efficiency - and objectivity
• They apply CSP and CEAT principles within a collaborative - interdisciplinary practice setting - ensuring effective CSP practices and principles
• Core functions include assessing patient care needs to determine the appropriate level of program participation - using CSP knowledge to align Veteran functioning with relevant services (PGCSS - PCAFC - and Veteran entitlements) to ensure safety - recovery - and stewardship
• The Clinical Assessor evaluates current practices systematically - formulates outcomes for patient groups or organizational processes within their expertise - supports colleagues by sharing knowledge to provide safe - quality nursing care - fosters a supportive environment for professional development - and implements strategies for program performance improvement and enhancement
• 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 Pay Scale: NF23 Work Schedule: Monday-Friday such as 0730-1600 or 0800-1630 Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized