Nurse Practitioner

Summary

This position for a Nurse Practitioner is located at the Hampton VA Medical Center, in Hampton, Virginia, in the Physical Medicine and Rehab department (PM&R).

Preferred experience: Clinical experience pertinent to clinical areas of addiction medicine/addiction psychiatry, opioid and other controlled substance prescription and dependence, mental health, and/or care of complex medical problems.

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Duties

Summary:

This position is located in the Integrative Pain Recovery Service (IPRS) clinic within the Section of pain Medicine in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services at the Hampton VA Medical Center. IPRS clinic provides team-based longitudinal recovery-oriented care for veterans with high impact chronic pain using a transdisciplinary biopsychosocial model of care.

Major Duties:

• Participation in Quality Management activities
• Participates in selected committees as designated by the supervisor
• Expected to participate in appropriate continuing education activities as necessary
• Familiar with and adheres to the Medical Staff Bylaws of this facility.
• Expected to be cooperative in manner with other members of the
  
  

medical/dental staff to achieve the goal or providing necessary care.

• Adheres to the policies and procedures of this hospital.
• Is an integral member of the IPRS as needed in the delivery of care for
  
  

patients with chronic pain.

• The NP (Nurse Practitioner) provides quality patient care to patients managed
  
  

by the PMRS service and Integrative Pain Recovery Service (IPRS) working

collaboratively with the IPRS physicians, pharmacists, and Mental Health

professionals and other providers of a broad range of clinical specialties to

evaluate, treat, and manage the chronic pain of referred patients

• Responsibilities include providing patient care in the IPRS setting which
  
  

includes the clinical outpatient area, and the inpatient setting as needed.

• The IPRS Nurse Practitioner (NP) is responsible for facilitating the fulfillment
  
  

of the mission, vision, and values of the VAMHAM IPRS clinic.

• Must have knowledge and familiarity with the biopsychosocial model-based
  
  

care of patients with chronic pain and other related comorbidities.

• Must have/develop knowledge and skills in management of safe and effective
  
  

use of long-term opioid therapy in chronic pain and its complications

• Must have/develop working knowledge of outpatient services in addiction
  
  

medicine including buprenorphine prescription for opioid use disorder.

• Must have/develop working knowledge of physical medicine and
  
  

rehabilitation, including physical therapy, occupational therapy,

kinesiotherapy, social work, psychology, compensated work therapy, and

rehabilitation nursing care.

• Must have/develop knowledge of psychological/behavioral and complimentary
  
  

interventions used in chronic pain management.

• Must have/develop knowledge of treatment of trauma post-traumatic disorder,
  
  

and mood and anxiety symptoms associated with chronic pain.

• The incumbent performs at an advanced level of nursing practice
  
  

characterized by increased complexity of clinical decision making.

• Responsible for providing the patient with risks, benefits and alternative
  
  

treatments and securing the informed consent of the patient/family needed

before conducting invasive procedures.

• Incumbent evaluates the patient to assess any changes in the physical status,
  
  

and make recommendations for continue care as needed.

• The NP is a skilled health care provider who utilizes critical judgment in the
  
  

performance of comprehensive health assessments, and history and

physicals to include differential diagnosis, ordering of diagnostic tests, and the

prescribing of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment in the

direct management of patients with pain conditions.

• The NP provides direct patient care to a caseload of patients in Pain Service.
• The incumbent assesses the educational needs of pain patients and develops
  
  

a plan of care.

• 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: 0800 - 1630, Monday - Friday

Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized.

Telework: Ad-hoc

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship; 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.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• 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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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

Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements

• Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a 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).
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  NOTE: 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 will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment.
• License and Certification:
• License. All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• Basic Certification. All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared.

NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) assignment that are also 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.

The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) II:

Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians. Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) III:

405(c)(2)(B).

Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others

Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required.

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.
• Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care.
• 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.
• Dimension Requirement: APN (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.
  

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work are generally minor. The work is primarily sedentary in nature and usually occurs within climate controlled clinical and administrative settings. Use of fingers may be required to operate computers. There may be occasional light lifting/carrying (15pounds or less) requirements to relocate boxed materials from one area to another, equipment and room set - up, and ambulation related to physical inspections of the facilities. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

Additional information



Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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