Nurse (VA Liaison for Healthcare)

The VA Syracuse Healthcare System's Social Worker Service is seeking an experienced VA Liaison for Healthcare Nurse. The primary role of the VA Liaison is to ensure the transfer of health care, both inpatient and outpatient, from the Military Treatment Facility (MTF) at Fort Drum, NY to the appropriate VA health care facility. The VA Liaison is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns.

There is a nationally recognized initiative to seamlessly transition the health care of injured and ill Servicemembers and Veterans from the Department of Defense (DOD) to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. The initiative is led by the VA Central Office, Care Management and Social Work Services, Office of Patient Care Services (10P4C). The VA Liaison for Healthcare (hereinafter referred to as VA Liaison) is seen as the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) representative to the military installation and must represent the VA in all aspects of patient care, transfer and outreach.

The VA Liaisons must work on-site at the MTF with staff, Servicemember(s), families, Caregivers, and Veterans to ensure priority access to needed health care services and education regarding VHA benefits. Servicemembers and Veterans returning from combat theaters may have severe and complex illnesses and injuries, minor illnesses and injuries, and mental health needs. Although the VA Liaisons must report administratively to the VA health care facility closest to the MTF, they must report programmatically to the VHA Care Management and Social Work Services, Office of Patient Care Services (10P4C).

Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position: Working closely with the MTF treatment team as an independent practitioner; using advanced practice skills and expertise to provide ongoing consultation regarding complex discharge planning issues; and VA health care benefits, resources and facilities. This requires an intimate knowledge of VHA programs and services nationwide, and the ability to match Veterans' needs with appropriate resources.

Developing relationships and collaborating with the MTF social workers, nurses, case managers, managed care staff, and discharge planners to identify Servicemembers and Veterans ready for discharge to a VA health care facility and to obtain clear referral information and authorization for VHA to treat those still on active duty. This referral needs to: Include the MTF Medical Records; VA Referral Form (entitled Military Treatment Facility Referral Form to VA Liaison); Admission Sheet; Clinical and Consult Orders; or other authorization for VHA to provide services and bill TRICARE or other appropriate entity through a VA-DOD Sharing Agreement.

Clearly identify the Servicemember's/Veteran's health care and psychosocial needs, and include requests for VHA health care services to ensure Clinical and Consult Orders or authorizations, specifying which VHA services are authorized and are completed prior to the transfer of any Servicemember(s)/Veteran(s) to a VA health care facility. Meeting with the Servicemember/Veteran and family to provide education and an overview of VA health benefits and resources, and to address current medical and psychosocial issues identified as part of the Servicemember's/Veteran's treatment plan.

In collaboration with the MTF treatment team, the Liaison must use advanced clinical skills to assess the Servicemember/Veteran and family's psychosocial situation, their ability to comprehend and comply with VA's treatment plan determined by the MTF staff, and any special needs of the Servicemember/Veteran and family that may impact reaching optimal psychosocial functioning. Coordinating with the VA Liaison's home VA health care facility Enrollment Coordinator and Post-9/11 Military2VA (M2VA) Team, to initially register active duty Servicemembers or enroll Veterans at their facility utilizing the referral information.

Registering active duty Servicemembers and enrolling Veterans in the VA computer system eases transfer of care to the VA health care facility. Collaborating with MTF social workers, nurses and case managers to identify the VA health care facility where care will be transferred to an accepting physician at that facility. To ensure ease of registration or enrollment procedures, information is transmitted using Patient Data Exchange (PDX) or Network Health Exchange (NHE) from the VA Liaison's facility to the identified receiving VA health care facility.

Identifying and communicating with the M2VA Program Manager and Lead Coordinator, if applicable, at the receiving VA health care facility to initiate and process referrals and linkages for transfers of care. NOTE: Regular onsite collaboration and coordination is critical to provide effective consultative services with the referral, linkage, education, and assessment functions. The provision of direct services may be necessary to enhance the communication and relationship with Servicemembers/Veterans and their families.

Performs other duties as assigned. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Mon to Fri 7:30am -4pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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/13107193.

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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.