Duties

The focus of a Primary Care-Nurse Practitioner at the VA Health Care System is the provision of general and longitudinal outpatient medical care for Veteran patients in a manner which is reflective of excellent clinical judgment, medical knowledge, clinical skills (medical interviewing, physical examination, and procedural skills), humanistic qualities and professionalism. Patient care will be delivered in a manner that promotes Veteran health and well-being via a personalized, patient-centered approach that takes into consideration the Veteran's goals, diagnoses, and physical, functional, and psychosocial needs.

The Supervising Lead Physician for the clinic will provide the work assignments for the Nurse Practitioner and will provide professional direction. The Nurse Practitioner will be granted clinical privileges at the VA based on his/her specific expertise. Work will commence immediately upon completion of orientation. The clinician will be required to work cooperatively and collaboratively with other physicians, advanced practice nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, administrative staff, and a variety of allied health professionals to deliver comprehensive health care services to male and female Veteran patients.

The medical center utilizes a computerized medical record system. The Clinician must be familiar with personal computers, have adequate keyboard skills to perform all data entry (e.g., progress notes and orders, history and physicals, discharge summaries), and be able to navigate through computer programs. In addition, the primary care clinician will:

• Follow and abide by all medical center policies, rules, and regulations;
• Initiate and facilitate treatment and transfer in emergency situations;
• Refer patients as needed to appropriate specialists, health care facilities, and coordinate with home health services;
• Document assessments and plan of care for each patient in accordance with standards of care, policies, and procedures;
• Act as a consultant in clinical practice and may serve as a managing/supervising clinician for physician assistants, residents, and other health profession trainees;
• Maintain state licensure, PECOS enrollment, and knowledge of new and current clinical methods;
• Assist with coordinating care received in the community from non-VA healthcare entities;
• Be responsible for the successful achievement of applicable Performance Measures and Monitors;
• Take an active part in the Peer Review process and ensure timely completion of assigned cases;
• Become proficient in and engage in Tele-Health to home visits (e.g., VA Video Connect); and
• Complete all other patient care related duties, as necessary and/or as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday-Friday, 08:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact Stephanie Scales or Chanel Smith, VISN5EDRPBaltimore@va.gov , the EDRP Coordinators for questions/assistance
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All qualified candidate encouraged to apply. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• 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.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination
• Participation in the seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

Applicants 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.

Nurse Practitioner Requirements

Applicants 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.
Nurse Practitioners: On and after March 17, 2009, registered nurses appointed or otherwise moving into these assignments must meet and maintain the following additional qualifications. This includes employees appointed before March 17, 2009, who obtain such qualifications on or after March 17, 2009.
Nurse Practitioners. A nurse practitioner must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State, possess a master's degree from a program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE, and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty (Psychiatric/Mental Health NP) to which the individual is being appointed or selected. (COPY OF CURRENT LICENSE, MSN TRANSCRIPT AND CERTIFICATION REQURIED)

Preferred Experience: Experience as a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

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.
• Nurse IV - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN [If MSN obtained in a Bridge Program, no BSN required.] and approximately Approximately 4-5 years experience (OR) Doctoral degree in nursing or related field (AND) Appropriate basic or advanced certification desired and approximately 3-4 year's of nursing practice/experience.

The Professional Standards Board reviews the selected candidate's education and experience and recommends the grade and salary.

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. Potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

The full performance level of this vacancy is Nurse IV. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of Nurse I to Nurse IV.

Education

IMPORTANT: 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 information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. You are applying to a public notice to fill current and/or potential future vacancies. Vacancies may not presently exist and may not become available for the location you are applying to; therefore, there is no guarantee that a vacancy at the location you are applying for is or will become available for recruitment.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

Due to COVID-19, VA is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement. Management officials will provide information about returning to the official, pre-pandemic worksite, when applicable. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework depending upon the terms of your organization's telework policy and the duties of the position.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .