Nurse (HUD-VASH)

Full Job Description

The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - Veterans Affairs Support Housing (VASH) Case Management (CM) Registered Nurse (RN) is a Professional Nurse with broad-based clinical knowledge enabling him/her to effectively implement health promotion, prevention and disease management to assist Veterans to remain stable, housed and community-integrate.

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/12937274.

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: The position requires the incumbent to have a valid and unrestricted driver's license.

This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments based on Veteran needs. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.

This position requires potentially long periods of telephone and desk/computer work and driving to various external facilities.

Transporting patients and objects is required as the incumbent is responsible for locating housing, conducting home visits and meeting with landlords and community providers.

The incumbent may be exposed to infected Veterans and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or procedures.

The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to Veterans 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 Veteran needs.

In compliance with the ADA, as amended, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1974, any individual who can meet the physical requirements of the position with reasonable accommodation should advise Human Resources Service of their need for reasonable accommodation and coordinate with that office so that an individualized assessment can be conducted.

Major Duties:

Major duties include but not limited to: Responsible for providing case management based services and serving as a primary contact with local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) to ensure that Veteran care is coordinated with the VA Medical Center, community health or mental health providers, and agencies that serve homeless populations.

Demonstrates proficiency using the nursing process and evidenced-based practice to assess, plan, and implement Veteran and family health education and psycho-education with a focus on self-management, prevention, and wellness based on the Veteran's goals.

Demonstrates leadership and creativity in developing Veteran driven strategies for remaining appropriately housed in the community.

Effective communicates who is responsible for collaborating with services external to the VA to facilitate the transition of Veterans and their families out of homelessness and to provide support to sustain them in the community.

Demonstrates knowledge of community resources to promote stability, housing permanence, and recovery.

Maintains current knowledge of the Public Housing Authority application process; section 8 housing regulations and compliance with current regulations by providing coordination and oversight of complex specialized community placement.

Functions as a champion and advocate for the provision of recovery focused services to Veterans.

Models recovery and its defined values in all aspects of her or his professional activities and partnerships.

Proficient nurse and uses a body of research to validate practice in the care of Veterans with serious mental illness.

Engages in community outreach services at various community homeless sites to provide clinical oversight and case management for homeless Veterans.

Serves as a consultative resource for other VASH case managers and paraprofessionals, in addition to carrying a case load of Veterans who may benefit from the additional expertise that a RN provides.

Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to function autonomously within her/his scope of professional nursing practice. Performs other duties as assigned.

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 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized