Career Center

Summary

The Registered Nurse Clinical Assessor assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. The Clinical Assessor RN influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs.

Qualifications

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/12755253
• 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: Light lifting - under 15 pounds
• Operation of crane - truck - tractor - or motor vehicle.

Duties

• Duties include but not limited to: The Clinical Assessor is assigned to the Caregiver Support Program (CSP)
• This position is primarily responsible for assessing a Veteran's functional needs - including the need for personal care services using standardized assessments-which will assist the Centralized Eligibility and Appeal Teams (CEAT) in determining eligibility
• The incumbent will assess Veterans needs for personal care services - particularly Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) - supervision - protection - or instruction - working closely with the CSP Coordinator(s) and/or designee(s) - to complete Veteran functional assessments and re-assessments
• The Clinical Assessor will conduct initial home assessments as part of the application or reassessment process for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
• Program specific to his/her area of assignment and ensures compliance and collaboration with local facility and the VA Central Office CSP initiatives
• The Clinical Assessor participates in face-to-face or virtual contact with the caregiver and Veteran to assess function and the need for personal care services - and as needed - the development and application of directed clinical treatment interventions
• The Clinical Assessor will utilize and assist in maintaining a data monitoring system to measure the efficacy of the program and assists in collecting and analyzing local data for reports for local management
• Evaluates program progress and outcomes and utilizes data to continuously modify and improve the program - processes - and use of a standardized assessment instrument
• Advises and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams throughout the medical center on caregiver issues
• Creates educational tools - develops programs - and implements training focused on specific caregiver needs/issues
• Provides education and in-service training to VAMC employees - Veterans - families - and caregivers
• The Clinical Assessor conducts Veteran - caregiver - and family clinical interventions to facilitate the identification of caregiver stress - psychiatric illness - emotional distress - and social needs as treatment issues
• The Clinical Assessor - in collaboration with CSP staff - provides referrals to VA medical and mental health treatment and to other VA services including VA benefits - community-based social services - and other non-VA entitlement programs
• If appropriate - he/she provides referrals or consults - or in some cases facilitates direct admission of a Veteran to other VA programs
• As a Clinical Assessor within the CSP - the employee stays informed regarding current federal and state legislation directed at assisting caregivers to continue to provide caregiving in an environment that is safe for both themselves and the Veteran
• The Clinical Assessor will collaborate with the VA Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) - mental health - and geriatric primary care clinicians to provide Veteran and staff education on caregiver issues and to obtain input on the Veteran's functional needs
• The Clinical Assessor will respond to inquiries from the CEAT and will be responsible for tracking and processing Functional Assessment consults
• Develops and fosters relationships with community partners to assist with system navigation - maintain collaboration and coordinate services Maintains basic knowledge of local VA medical center programs - community services - and VA Central Office caregiver support initiatives
• The Clinical Assessor performs a wide range of services and may provide technical assistance to state - local - and private agencies - and universities
• Technical assistance is based on monitoring activities and program reviews - and the development and analysis of information
• The Clinical Assessor will function in support of caregivers - Veterans - and family members throughout the Medical Center and in the community
• The Clinical Assessor complies with the requirements of extensive Talent Management System training - bi-annual retraining - and any ongoing inter-rater reliability and/or peer reviews as determined by policy or national program office guidance
• 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 - 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized