Nurse (Hepatology Nurse)

SummaryThe Hepatology Nurse Navigator (HNN) provides support to Hepatology physicians and mid-level providers within the Gastroenterology Section throughout a variety of clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health areas. The Hepatology Nurse Navigator (HNN) provides support to Hepatology physicians and mid-level providers within The gastroenterology Section throughout a variety of clinical. diagnostic, therapeutic, andpreventive health areas.ResponsibilitiesThe HNN will work in outpatient hepatitis and liver clinics under the direct supervision and support of a staff hepatologist. The HNN will establish and maintain collaborative and communicative relationships within hepatology and other clinical, ancillary, diagnostic, research, nursing and administrative services within and outside the Rocky Mountain Regional VA medical Center. The HNN ensures and enhances the quality of services provided to hepatology patients and their significant others through community outreach, risk factor screening, and education for patients with positive hepatitis B or C viremia, fatty liver, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver transplant. The HNN will, in conjunction with physician, mid-level providers and pharmacy staff, coordinate the care of veteran Hepatitis B or C, fatty liver and other forms of liver disease. The HNN will also coordinate pre and post liver transplant patients with other VA and non-VA facilities. The HNN will also be involved in the collection and management of local clinical data on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and other liver lesions and integrate the database with research. The HNN will partner with other nurse navigators to provide continuity of care. Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. The registered nurse is a proficient nurse who demonstrates proficiency in decision-making and using the nursing process for complex situations that effect performance outcomes at the point of care. Practice is enhanced through development of collegial relationships. This nurse demonstrates collaboration by using the group process to solve problems. The focus is on leadership in strategically planning long-term goals for the microsystem (unit, team, or workgroup) that impacts operations or resources. The proficient nurse demonstrates critical thinking with efficiency and accuracy in assessing and managing situations. The Nurse 1) applies the nursing process to systems or processes to improve care; 2) demonstrates leadership by involving others in improving care; 3) supports and enhances client self-determination; 4) serves as a resource for clients and staff in resolving ethical issues; 5) identifies and assesses resource utilization and safety issues taking appropriate action; 6) acquires knowledge and skills to maintain expertise in areas of practice; 7) participates in educational activities to improve clinical knowledge and enhance role performance; 8) evaluates practice of self and others using professional standards, relevant statutes, and regulations, and takes action to improve performance; 9) uses the group process to identify, analyze, and resolve care problems; 10) educates colleagues and/or students and serves as a preceptor and/or mentor; 11) initiates/participates in quality improvement activities that result in improved outcomes. Provides review of patient data, noting concerns or missing information with assigned provider in Hepatology clinics. Provides full/detailed follow-up to patients whom a-e seen by residents and fellows and staffed with attending hepatologists and provides follow-{up regarding medication titration, laboratory values or other test results. Consults with Hepatology providers for all changes in diagnostic, medication and/or treatment plan. Ensures that appropriate orders are placed at the direction of the Hepatology providers. Devotes time as needed to clinic management and support, including teIephone responses to questions and requests from hepatitis and pre/post liver transplant patients, from patients of gastroenterology fellows or residents, follows up on abnormal test results, and scheduling/coordination of diagnostic procedures, laboratory draws and scheduling for both DVAMD patients and outside referral patients. Works closely with hepatologists and schedulers in training patients for booking/overbooking in clinic. Manages clinic structure by placing requests to clinic builders to add clinics, close clinics (temporary or permanent closure) and change appointment structure or limit appointment spots according to needs. Submits requests to HIT staff to add or change CPRS note templates and consult templates as the need arises. Devotes time as needed to pre and post-transplant care. Orders diagnostic tests and consultations, provides patient and family education and compiles and submits to Staff hepatologist all liver transplant applications. Submits completed applications to VA Central Office (VACO), and communicates with referral Transplant Centers regarding selected patients. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 9:00 to 5:00 or as agreed upon.NOTE: Candidates may need to work weekends, irregular work hours and extended hours on occasion. The candidate must be willing to be assigned to other related services and/or locations, if necessary. Financial Disclosure Report: Not requiredRequirementsConditions of EmploymentQualificationsApplicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Preferred Experience: Hepatology/GI/Transplant experience preferred Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. 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 patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.EducationIMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Additional InformationAnnual leave shall accrue for full-time Nurses, and Nurse Anesthetists at the rate of 8 hours for each full biweekly pay period. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.