Registered Nurse - Dermatology Navigator

The Dermatology Nurse Navigator provides direct and indirect nursing care to Veterans and their families within the Dermatology Department. The RN provides patient-centered care in accordance with established policies, standards of care, and professional nursing practice and demonstrates leadership in the delivery and coordination of dermatology services.

Major duties

The primary purpose of the position is to assess, plan, implement, evaluate, delegate, and coordinate individualized patient care throughout the continuum, from the pre-procedural phase through discharge. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Duties of the Dermatology Nurse Navigator include, but are not limited to: Provides competent, evidence-based nursing care to Veterans receiving dermatology services and coordinates individualized care from the pre-procedural phase through discharge. Performs initial patient histories and assessments and develops individualized nursing care plans, including discharge planning and pain management. Administers medications in accordance with established policy and utilizes applicable electronic health record systems in the delivery and documentation of care. Ensures equipment and supplies are available and in complete readiness for patient care and procedures and ensures compliance with hospital policies and procedural protocols. Ensures correct patient identification using two patient identifiers and completion of required procedural time-outs in accordance with medical center policy. Applies critical-thinking skills to prioritize patient-care needs and serves as a clinical resource to other staff within the dermatology practice. Identifies patient-care problems and initiates appropriate referrals to other disciplines and services. Accurately documents patient findings, assessments, interventions, and care provided in the electronic medical record. Functions independently in managing the care of assigned patients and caregivers and assigns staff based on competencies and identified patient-care priorities. Recognizes emergency situations, initiates appropriate interventions, and demonstrates knowledge of infection-control precautions applicable to the patient population. Participates in shared governance, performance improvement, and patient-safety initiatives and maintains clinical knowledge and skills through ongoing education. Provides oversight of licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate to the practice setting and maintains accountability for delegated nursing activities. Works with a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement current care plans for Veterans with skin cancer, collaborating with ENT, plastic surgery, social work, primary care, and other services as needed. Communicates and coordinates with members of the healthcare team on behalf of Veterans to promote continuity and timely delivery of dermatologic care. Coordinates patient appointments, surgical procedures, and referrals for skin cancer and other dermatologic conditions. Uses established clinical protocols to refer Veterans to appropriate specialists for diagnosis and treatment and assists Veterans and their families in obtaining specialty referrals. Provides emotional support and counseling related to the Veteran's clinical situation and works with designated physicians to develop and maintain applicable hospital protocols. Participates in the development and enhancement of processes designed to improve the clinical experience for referred Veterans and referring providers. Collaborates with referring providers and appropriate departments to educate healthcare professionals and facilities regarding available dermatology services. Uses advanced nursing expertise to identify and implement process improvements and participates in the design, direction, and implementation of healthcare plans. As appropriate, participates in approved research activities, including identifying appropriate patients for participation, obtaining informed consent, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing data for publication. Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaboration with interdisciplinary healthcare professionals and evaluates nursing practice based on current evidence. Supports the professional development of healthcare staff through education, knowledge sharing, mentoring, precepting, and teaching. Integrates evidence-based practice and research with clinical expertise and monitors, analyzes, and evaluates patient-care outcomes to support quality improvement and efficient care delivery. Promotes Veteran-centered care, patient safety, effective communication, teamwork, and compliance with applicable VA policies and professional standards. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: To be determined based on the needs of the service. Work schedules may require flexibility, including rotation of tours or work on non-administrative tours, as established by the immediate supervisor. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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/13079739.

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 Experience:

• BSN
• Five years of prior RN experience
• Ability to manage a high-volume patient panel independently
• Experience with biopsies, excisions, and general dermatology
• Cosmetic experience.

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

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.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Requirements

All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. 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. 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.