Registered Nurse (Inpatient Case Manager - Spinal Cord Injury Center)

Full Job Description

SCIC Inpatient Case Manager RN coordinates complex, lifelong care for Veterans with spinal cord injuries/disorders.

Role requires advanced clinical understanding of SCI-specific needs, including bowel and bladder programs, skin integrity, mobility, assistive equipment, and prevention of secondary complications via interdisciplinary care planning and ensuring individualized, patient-centered treatment plans that support rehabilitation goals and safe transitions across the continuum of care.

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.

Education: 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).

License/Registration: 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.) Grandfathering Provision Note - 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/12926686.

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/. Major Duties:

Spinal Cord Injury Center's (SCIC) Inpatient Case Manager (Registered Nurse) coordinates complex, lifelong care for Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders.

This role requires advanced clinical understanding of SCI-specific needs, including bowel and bladder programs, skin integrity, mobility, assistive equipment, and prevention of secondary complications.

The nurse leads interdisciplinary care planning and ensures individualized, patient-centered treatment plans that support rehabilitation goals and safe transitions across the continuum of care.

The Case Manager is actively involved in both the admission and discharge processes, collaborating early to assess patient needs, identify potential barriers, and initiate comprehensive care planning upon entry into the SCIC.

The nurse works closely with physicians, nursing, therapy services, social work, and external partners to coordinate high-acuity rehabilitation services, facilitate timely discharges, and ensure appropriate resource utilization.

Emphasis is placed on Veteran and family education, continuity of care, and proactive interventions to optimize functional outcomes, prevent complications, and reduce avoidable readmissions.

Duties include but are not limited to: Performing admission screening and intake coordination to assess clinical, functional, and psychosocial needs of Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders Initiating early discharge planning and identifying potential barriers to care transitions Coordinating interdisciplinary care plans addressing SCI-specific needs including bowel and bladder management programs, pressure injury prevention, mobility and assistive device requirements, and caregiver support needs Facilitating timely discharge/disposition planning through coordination of durable medical equipment, home health services, rehabilitation follow-up, and community resources Conducting ongoing utilization review to ensure appropriate level of care and efficient use of resources, while maintaining compliance with VA policies and documentation standards Participating in interdisciplinary rounds and interdisciplinary conferences Providing education to Veterans and caregivers to promote self-management and independence Supporting quality improvement efforts aimed at enhancing patient outcomes, reducing length of stay, and preventing avoidable readmissions, etc.

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: M-F, 0730-1600 CST Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards