Registered Nurse Transition to Practice Coordinator

The RN Transition to Practice (RNTTP) Coordinator Nurse is responsible for the oversight, coordination, and facilitation of the Transition to Practice Program for newly graduated Registered Nurses and nurses transitioning to new clinical roles within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This position is designed to ensure safe, effective, and evidence-based integration of novice and transitioning nurses into professional practice, facilitating their professional development and competency.

Major duties

The Nurse Transition to Practice (RNTTP) Program Coordinator Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for collaborating in assisting the RN Transition to Practice Residency Program in achieving its mission, goals, and expected outcomes. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates the program based on established policies and guidelines consistent with the program mission, goals, and expected outcomes. Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. Responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the department level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs Responsible for the quality and quantity of program-specific training and establishes program initiatives and direction within limitations of available staff and budget. Contributes to education for the transition form academia to clinical practice, integration into the organization, and socialization into the professional nurse role. Administers the facility developed formal, data-driven, systemic plan for appraising the effectiveness of the RNTTP Program and disseminates program outcomes. Utilizes innovative teaching strategies, assessment skills, and evaluation of outcomes. Assesses the learning needs of others and plans/organizes educational activities and goals, develops written plans for educational programs in compliance with accrediting agency policies and procedures, and implements plans utilizing adult learning principles via strategic learning methodologies such as simulation, lecture case studies and virtual reality. Supports nurse residency programs including the development of curriculum utilizing strategic learning methodologies such as simulation, lecture case studies and virtual reality. Provide consultation to nursing leadership on the development of unit specific competencies as requested, unit based orientation of new staff, in services as requested on specific topics, coordination and teaching, liaison to new equipment training, serve on nursing and medical center wide committees/councils, simulation training, including ACLS and BLS skills, help with other educational services such as preceptor courses, annual mandatory education classroom and computerized and education fairs. Collaborates with leadership and unit managers to identify educational training needs for staff, while supporting activities that fosters competence, critical thinking, and decision making. Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex situations. Will function as a Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) facility training to provide formal/informal/virtual/in person instruction to clinicians and support staff on how to safely and effectively manage all types of patient generated disruptive behaviors.

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: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4pm
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for a highly qualified candidate

Preferred Experience: Masters prepared, 3-5+ years of professional nursing practice, academic nursing education experience, adult education experience, ACEN or CCNE academic accreditation experience, program management experience, experience with curriculum development. National Certification in Nursing Professional Development of Nurse Educator.

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/13067523.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting. The nurse may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. The nurse may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The nurse must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health\requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. In the performance of duties, the nurse may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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/. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Requirements

• 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.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• 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.