Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities **This is an open continuous announcement until July 31, 2024. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be referred at regular intervals until the vacancy is filled. The Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner (NP) functions as the Hospice and Palliative Care (HPC) Coordinator for VA Northern California Health Care System HPC Program and works in conjunction with other members of the HPC team. This Program is designed to provide palliative care consultation to patients and their families, in the outpatient clinic setting and as needed in the inpatient setting, who are facing a life-threatening illness. Major Duties include: Development of the palliative care program through program coordination, staff education, and acting as liaison with the PACT and subspecialty teams at the various sites and community agencies, in conjunction with other Palliative Care Coordinator(s) and team members. Serve as liaison with VISN Hospice and Palliative Care Program Manager, and keeps the field informed of VISN and VHA National HPC Program developments; Serve as consultant to the HPC programs for development, implementation and monitoring of Quality Improvement activities as appropriate; Evaluation for appropriateness and oversight of Non -VA Care (community) hospice referrals Completes Palliative Care consults, and accurately documents coordination and care provided in CPRS. Establish an effective relationship with the patient and significant others to facilitate the development of the care plan. Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of actual or potential illness on the patient's developmental, physical, social, emotional, age, spiritual, economic, vocational, and leisure status. Coordinate and collaborate with patients, families, communities, and members of the interdisciplinary team in assessing needs, setting goals, planning interventions, providing care, and evaluating outcomes. Participate with patients, families, and other health care providers in collaborative decision making that reflects the understanding that care should be culturally sensitive, ethical, legal, informed, compassionate and humane, and within the boundaries of available economic resources. Retains current knowledge of multidisciplinary resources, programs, and services, referring patients for community resources as appropriate. Demonstrates ability to collaborate and coordinate with all levels of services and disciplines. Applies critical thinking and analytical skills to identify barriers for optimal patient care delivery and utilizes processes improvement strategies to correct or improve current state. Utilizes creativity and innovation. Recommends and participates in interdisciplinary opportunities to improve patient care or clinical efficiency. Life Sustaining Treatment Initiative: Identifying, coordinating and referring appropriate patients for Goals of Care conversations to PACT/Specialty clinics. Completes LST orders as needed. Coordinate with Social Workers within the various Service lines to ensure that LST orders are completed for all patients enrolling into hospice. Attend and Participate in Sacramento Valley Community Veteran Partnership meetings. Obtain data, generate reports, attend meetings to obtain and present information as it pertains to the Hospice and Palliative Care Team. Educate patients/family, staff and community about Hospice and Palliative Care. Works collaboratively and inter-professionally with learners of all levels and disciplines, including but not limited to, trainees, students, interns, residents, and fellows. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Available, Telework for 3+ days a pay period Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Susan.Bringel@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more. 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. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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. Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. 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: (a) 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. OR (b) 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. Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent Nurse Practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active and unrestricted registration and certification (see paragraph 2c) will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment. BASIC CERTIFICATION: Advance Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: a. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) OR b. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB); OR c. Other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Experience working in the Veterans Health Administration. Hospice/Palliative experience. GRADE DETERMINATION: Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) (Nurse Practitioner) II. (a) Scope. Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. (b) Education and Experience Requirement. Meets basic education requirement for APN (CNS). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required. (c) Dimension Requirement. APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population or program. Outcome Focus. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care. Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice. Professionalism/Collegiality. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes. Advance Practice Nurse (APN) (Nurse Practitioner) III. (a) Scope. Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care.(b) Education and Experience Requirement. Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP). AND One year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. (c) Dimension Requirement. APNs (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements: Clinical Practice. Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population or program. Outcome Focus. Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations. Leadership. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population or program. Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility. Professionalism/Collegiality. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population or program level. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. 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, adequate auditory perception, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially extended periods of computer use, virtual care equipment use, sitting and/or standing. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must meet Employee Health mandates as a condition of employment. Education 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: (a) 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. OR (b) 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. Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent Nurse Practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active and unrestricted registration and certification (see paragraph 2c) will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment. Additional Information Annual leave shall accrue for full-time Nurses, and Nurse Anesthetists at the rate of 8 hours for each full biweekly pay period. 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. 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.