Registered Nurse - CBOC PACT Care Manager - Recruitment Incentive Authorized

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the time of application.

• 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:
  • Education Accreditation Requirement. Nursing education must be from a school of professional nursing accredited by one of the following accrediting organizations at the time the program was completed by the applicant:
    • The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326. The ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs, including clinical doctorate, masters/post master's certificate, baccalaureate, associate and diploma nursing education programs. (Note: The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission/NLNAC changed its name to ACEN in May 2013. ACEN's website may be utilized to verify accredited programs using automated inquiry processes; however, for verification of any nursing program's accreditation prior to 1998, an automated inquiry cannot be used and ACEN must be contacted directly via their email contact information on the ACEN website to verify.); or
    • The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 7, Washington, DC 20001. The CCNE is an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and accredits nursing education programs at the bachelor and master's level.
  • Nursing Bridge Programs. Nursing bridge programs are accelerated nurse education programs which rely upon existing nursing knowledge and education. Graduates from nursing bridge programs that meet accreditation requirements specific grade level requirements in this standard must also be met in addition to the following:
    • Master's Level Bridge Program Education Appointments Prior to Graduation. Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who achieve the level in their education in which they 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 a temporary basis for any period up to three years contingent upon full completion of the professional nursing education program, if education verification provided by the school supports the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) equivalency. Upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program, the Nurse may be converted to a permanent appointment under the provisions of section 7401(a)(1) of title 38. Failure to complete the bridge program on which the temporary appointment was based will result in termination of the appointment.
  • Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing who possess a current, full, active and unrestricted registration (see paragraph 3c) will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associate degree level Nursing education program. In order to grant credit towards an appointment based on foreign nursing education higher than the associate degree level, formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency accepted by VA such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD) must be obtained.
  • Degree in a Related Field. A graduate level or doctorate degree in health care/management related fields from an institution accredited by the State and approved by the Department of Education at the time the candidate completed the program may be credited as specifically indicated in grade requirements. The graduate level or doctorate degree and coursework must provide evidence in support of the nursing role and duties associated with the assignment and grade level. Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.
• 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:

• Primary Care / Acute Care Experience
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN)
• 2-3 years of recent nursing experience

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 professional nursing experience.
• Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse 1 Level 1; OR a Bachelor's in nursing with no professional nursing experience.
• Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and 2 years of professional nursing experience, 1 of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Bachelor's degree in nursing with 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse 1, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience.
• Nurse II - A Bachelor's degree in nursing with 2 years of professional nursing experience, 1 of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse 1, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in nursing and 1 years of specialized nursing experience equivalent to a Nurse 1, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse 1, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience.
• Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, 1 of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets the dimension requirements of Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with 2 years of specialized nursing experience, 1 of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing with 1 year of specialized nursing experience which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimensions requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing with 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirement for Nurse III.

Dimension Requirement for Nurse III. Nurses at Nurse III must meet ALL the following dimension requirements to qualify for Nurse III. Dimensions can be found below in Education section of this announcement.

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.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (or the Act) prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requesting applicant criminal history record information before extending a conditional or tentative offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S.C § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance to VA at [email protected]. Applicant written complaints should include the following:

• Administration name: Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), National Cemetery Administration (NCA) or VA Central Office (VACO) (for example, Human Resources Service Center).
• Office name, employee name and contact information or contractor who made contact (if known).
• Date of contact.
• Details regarding the job opportunity announcement applied to, and copies of any documents or other evidence related to the complaint.
• Visit Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) (va.gov) for more information.

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.