<strong>Summary<br><br></strong>Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.<br><br>Duties<br><br> Help <br><br>The Utilization Management (UM) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based practices within the position. Uses InterQual Evidence Based Criteria to perform complicated reviews. The UM RN activities include collecting, analyzing, and reporting data, creating, and providing provider education to a variety of providers, collaborating on ordered level of care and treatments plans, and conducting lnterQual reviews on prospective, observation, admission, and continued stay patients. Responsible for creating and providing education and guidance to internal and external customers of varying education levels on admission and continued stay criteria and best clinical documentation and utilization management practices to ensure efficient resource utilization. The individual will assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation. Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others on the acute care team. The nurse is a proficient nurse who demonstrates proficiency in decision-making and using the nursing process for complex situations that affect performance outcomes at the point of care. Practice is enhanced through development of collegial relationships. The nurse demonstrates collaboration by using the group process to solve problems and impact Veterans in acute care. The focus is on leadership in strategically planning long-term goals for the UM microsystem that impacts operations or resources. The proficient UM nurse demonstrates critical thinking with efficiency and accuracy in assessing and managing situations.<br><br>VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards<br><br><strong>Pay:</strong> Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards<br><br><strong>Paid Time Off:</strong> 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)<br><br><strong>Retirement:</strong> Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA<br><br><strong>Insurance: </strong>Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)<br><br><strong><br><br><strong>Licensure:</strong></strong> 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory<br><br><strong><br><br><strong>Work Schedule:</strong> </strong>Rotating shifts 8hr, 10hr or 12 hr tours , including holidays<br><br><strong>Telework:</strong> Available Ad Hoc Only<br><br><strong>Virtual:</strong> This is not a virtual position.<br><br><strong>Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:</strong> Not Authorized<br><br><strong>Permanent Change of Station (PCS)</strong>: Not Authorized<br><br><strong>Requirements<br><br></strong> Help <br><br>Conditions of employment<br><br><ul><li>U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.</li><li>All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.</li><li>Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.</li><li>You may be required to serve a probationary period.</li><li>Subject to background/security investigation.</li><li>Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.</li><li>Must pass pre-employment physical examination.</li><li>Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).<br><br></li></ul><strong>Qualifications<br><br></strong><strong>Basic Requirements</strong>:<br><br><ul><li>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.</li><li><br><br>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). </li><li>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.) </li><li>HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements. Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment.<br><br></li></ul><strong><br><br><strong>NOTE:</strong> </strong>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.<br><br><strong><br><strong>Grade Determinations:</strong> </strong>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/12801556. <strong>Grade/Level</strong> <strong>Scope</strong> <strong>Education</strong> 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 <strong>AND</strong> 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;<strong>OR</strong> 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 <strong>AND</strong> 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; <strong>OR</strong> a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; <strong>OR</strong> a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; <strong>OR</strong> 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; <strong>OR</strong> an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; <strong>OR</strong> a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; <strong>OR</strong> a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; <strong>OR</strong> 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; <strong>OR</strong> 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; <strong>OR</strong> 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; <strong>OR</strong> 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. <strong>*<br><br></strong><strong>Note:</strong> Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.<br><br><strong><br><br><strong>Preferred Experience:<br><br></strong></strong><ul><li>Able to communicate effectively with internal and external customers </li><li> 3-5 years recent Clinical Experience </li><li>2-5 years recent InterQual Experience </li><li> Ability to analyze and compile data </li><li> 2-3 years experience managing teams and/or programs<br><br></li></ul><strong><br><br><strong>Reference:</strong></strong> For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.<br><br><strong><br><br><strong>Physical Requirements:</strong> </strong>Lifting up to 35<br><br><ul><li>pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently, moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care, pulling for 8 to 12 hours intermittently, pushing for 8-12 hours, intermittently, reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both hands required, walking 8-12 hours, intermittently, standing 8-12 hours intermittently, kneeling 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, repeated bending for 8-12 hours, intermittently, climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both legs required, near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing aid permitted, twisting, simple grasp and fine manipulation.<br><br></li></ul>Education<br><br>The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission On Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Verification of accreditation may be obtained from http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm or https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp<br><br><ul><li>If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.</li><li>If your school was accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.<br><br></li></ul>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.<br><br><br><strong>IMPORTANT:</strong> A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.<br><br>Additional information<br><br>This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.<br><br>This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.<br><br>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.<br><br>If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.<br><br>Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.<br><br>Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.<br><br> Help <br><br>A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.<br><br>Review our benefits<br><br>Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.