Summary

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for an RN Patient Care Coordinator (Cardiothoracic). The RN Patient Care Coordinator (Cardiothoracic) will function in Surgical Service.

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/12978254
• 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 Experience: BSN or higher Minimal 1-3 years RN experience in outpatient clinic setting Surgical/procedural experience Cardiology or Thoracic experience Case manager experience or evidence of coordinating complex patient care Strong clinical thinking skills Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This clinical position includes a level of physicality normally associated with direct patient care duties performed by nurses for potentially long periods of time
• This may include walking - standing - stooping - bending - sitting - reaching - pushing - and pulling
• It may include moderate lifting/carrying - not greater than 35 pounds following Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) guidelines
• Employees are expected to employ proper body mechanics during lifting and seek assistance or use mechanical lifts for weights greater than 35 pounds following Safe Patient Handling Guidelines
• Requires adequate vision to accurately perform the assigned duties - distinguish basic colors and assess patients and the environment safely
• The position requires the ability to hear at a level to perform the assigned duties - and the use of hearing aids is permitted
• This position must be able to sit or stand for several hours daily while interacting with patients - employees - and providers via computer and/or phone
• A dedicated - ergonomic workspace is required to minimize strain - with proper desk height - wrist positioning - and monitor placement
• Proficiency with keyboard and mouse use is essential for efficient electronic medical record operation - requiring frequent hand dexterity for data entry and communication
• Requires adequate vision to accurately perform the assigned duties - distinguish basic colors and assess patients and the environment safely
• The position requires the ability to hear at a level to perform the assigned duties - and the use of hearing aids is permitted

Duties

• The duties of the Registered Nurse - Patient Care Coordinator (Cardiothoracic) position include but not limited to: Schedules surgical patients for both the Cleveland VA Medical Center and Outpatient Surgery Center locations utilizing appropriate OR block time for the appropriate level of patient care
• Tracks - analyze - and manages pre-operative evaluations - laboratory - and radiology results and provide information to providers as well as identify concerns
• Assist provider with communicating and tracking patient results in a timely manner as directed in VHA Directive 1088
• Maintaining notification compliance and tracking patient results using the VA approved and web-based application - Care Management Tool (CMT)
• Assist providers with tracking and communicating results for complex surgical and oncological patients
• Providing and maintain updated evidence-based education - information - and materials for surgical patients and families
• Prepare and enter surgical consults - such as Pre-op Clinic - Same Day Center - Outpatient Surgical Center - and Request for Surgery
• Consult placement is time-sensitive and must remain in compliance with the VHA Surgical Directive 1128
• Coordinates and assists patients with scheduling difficulties such as multiple time-sensitive appointments outside and inside the Cardiothoracic department
• Coordinate and assist patients and families with accommodations and transportation required to complete surgical procedures and provide care without delays
• Coordinate and educate patients/families participating in surgical procedures using evidence-based information to enhance patient participation in healthcare outcomes
• Collaborate routinely with multidisciplinary groups to carry out recommended treatment in a timely manner
• Collaborate with VISN 10 facilities to complete Inter-Facility Consults to provide cost-efficient treatment - in lieu of outsourcing and maintaining continuity of care
• Assist with expediting care by scheduling appointments - coordinating transportation and accommodations for patients and families
• Collaborate with non-VA health systems and facilities to retrieve required progress notes - imaging CDs - and procedure reports for surgical planning and continuity in care to ensure best outcomes
• Assisting patients with completing require employment and insurance documentation such as FMLA forms - return to work/duty forms - short-term and long-term insurance forms
• Returning phone calls
• In office clerical duties such as answer phone - faxing - scanning
• 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: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday (Variable at supervisor discretion) Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorize Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized