• Uses health assessment information and critical thinking to identify health concerns, risks, normal and abnormal states of health and formulate differential diagnoses.

• Uses scientific knowledge to deliver evidence-based care to the Veteran.

• Identifies and requests the appropriate lab and imaging studies for Veterans and can interpret the requested tests using critical thinking.

• Communicates with Veterans and/or Veteran's designated surrogate the diagnoses/options, likely response to care and includes common side effects of treatment.

• Documents health assessments, clinical data, diagnoses, management, and conclusions in a timely manner using the electronic medical record.

• Completes and documents notes in CPRS in a timely manner. Notes and encounters will be closed by the end of tour of duty. Areas to be addressed include encounters: reasons for visit; diagnosis codes; service connection. Primary assignment, Service-connected conditions; Diagnosis tab; Procedures, etc. Return to clinic orders will comply with national guidelines.

• Initiates timely referrals for subspecialty care as appropriate.

• Reviews Veterans with Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSCs) and determines if the Veteran needs more in-depth treatment, referrals (such as HT, social work, nursing visit/calls, nutrition, pharmacy drug monitoring), education (formal and/or informal); and/or telephone calls between provider visits to assist in care management/coordination.

• Completes clinical reminders timely.

• Anticipates and recognizes changing urgent and emergent problems and intervenes appropriately.

• Actively provides counseling to promote health, reduce risk factors, prevent disease, and disability.

• Recognizes environmental health problems affecting Veterans and provides health protection interventions.

• Selects, prescribes, analyzes, and utilizes correct dosages, routes and frequencies of medications and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities based on relevant individual needs, i.e., illness, age, gender, previous adverse drug reactions and medicines received from outside providers.

• Medicines are documented in the Medicine Reconciliation Note per health system policy.

• Actively participates in peer review activities using evidence-based data for evaluation through the service, NP peers and system based EPRP reviews. This includes self-evaluations.

• Actively seeks out health promotion opportunities for Veterans. Works closely with the PACT team members and larger team to provide coordinated care.

• Evaluates the Veteran's response to the health care provided and the effectiveness of the care.

• Interprets his/her own professional strengths, role and scope of ability to peers, patients, and colleagues.

• Assumes accountability for practice.

• The Nurse Practitioner utilizes outcomes of care to revise care delivery strategies and improve quality of care.

• Utilizes evidence-based data to evaluate care of Veterans and participates in peer review and supervisory review.

• Actively works to develop the role of the advanced practice nurse by:

• Regularly participating in education opportunities to enhance knowledge base.

• Acts as preceptor to novice nurse practitioners when expert level has been achieved.

• AdvocatesAdvocates for the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse in the health care system.

• Demonstrates knowledge of the role of the nurse practitioner in case management.

• Performs as an active member of the health care team to help Veterans negotiate through the system.

• Builds relationships within the system which help support Veteran care.

• Creates a climate of mutual trust and establishes therapeutic relationships with Veterans.

• Collaborates with other health professionals and agencies as appropriate.

Qualifications

Education

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission On Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Verification of accreditation may be obtained from http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm or https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp

• If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
• If your school was accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  Review our benefits

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  To apply for this position, you must submit a C.V. and/or resume. Other documents may be requested later in the process if needed.

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

  All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/29/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12280543.

  • To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

  • Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

  NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
  To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

  Agency contact information

  VISN 17 SSU USAS Group

  Email

  VISN17SSUUSAS@va.gov

  Address

  Thomas E Creek VA Medical Center
  6010 Amarillo Boulevard, West
  Amarillo, TX 79106
  US

  Next steps

  Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
  You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
  NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents