Summary

The Nurse Program Manager - Pain Management - is responsible for coordinating - implementing - evaluating - and supporting the delivery of comprehensive - evidence-based pain management services for Veterans with complex chronic pain conditions - including those with co-occurring mental health and behavioral health conditions. The incumbent provides program management - clinical care coordination - patient education - consultation - and training to promote safe - effective - and Veteran-centered care.

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/13108599
• 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
• Preferred Work Experience/Education: Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• BSN Five Years of Pain Management experience Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment
• The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Duties

• Duties of the Nurse Program Manager - Pain Management - include - but are not limited to: Coordinates and supports the development - implementation - evaluation - and oversight of the Pain Management Program to promote comprehensive - evidence-based care for Veterans with complex chronic pain conditions
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary healthcare professionals - VA staff - and community resources to coordinate pain management services - clinical consultations - and continuity of care
• Provides nursing care and care coordination for Veterans with chronic pain and co-occurring mental health and behavioral health conditions
• Performs initial nursing assessments - obtains comprehensive pain management histories - and documents findings and interventions in the electronic medical record
• Applies biopsychosocial principles and clinical nursing judgment to assess patient needs - identify barriers to care - and support individualized pain management treatment plans
• Provides patient education - health counseling - and self-management support to promote effective pain management - improved functioning - and quality of life
• Utilizes telehealth technologies and collaborates with local resources to facilitate access to pain management services and support interdisciplinary care coordination
• Participates in the development - implementation - and evaluation of program policies - procedures - clinical processes - and evidence-based pain management initiatives
• Supports facility-wide pain management program activities in accordance with applicable national directives - VA policies - and organizational requirements
• Assists with strategic planning - program evaluation - and reporting of performance measures related to pain management services
• Collects - analyzes - and submits program performance data to evaluate effectiveness - identify trends - and support quality improvement activities
• Monitors patient-care outcomes and program performance to identify opportunities for improving clinical services - patient safety - and healthcare resource utilization
• Participates in quality assurance - performance improvement - shared governance - and patient safety initiatives to enhance the delivery of pain management services
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to develop - implement - and evaluate individualized patient-care plans and promote coordinated healthcare delivery
• Provides consultation - education - and training to nursing staff and other healthcare professionals regarding pain management practices - program requirements - and clinical processes
• Assists with staff orientation - competency development - and educational activities related to the Pain Management Program
• Demonstrates developing leadership skills by serving as a team leader - sharing clinical knowledge - and supporting the professional development of nursing staff
• Provides appropriate oversight and guidance to licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants and ensures delegated nursing activities are completed safely and effectively
• Promotes effective communication - collaboration - and teamwork among interdisciplinary healthcare professionals and stakeholders
• Applies evidence-based nursing practice - clinical judgment - and patient preferences to improve quality of care and promote safe - cost-effective healthcare delivery
• Provides individualized - age-appropriate - and culturally sensitive care while respecting Veterans' autonomy - dignity - values - and healthcare preferences
• Maintains accurate and timely clinical documentation and protects sensitive patient information in accordance with applicable VA policies and federal regulations
• Supports compliance with infection prevention - occupational safety - emergency preparedness - and applicable accreditation standards
• Performs other duties as assigned
• 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: To be determined based on the needs of the service
• Work schedules may require flexibility - including rotation of tours or non-administrative tours - as established by the immediate supervisor
• Telework: AD-HOC as needed by facility
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized