Registered Nurse - Transplant Coordinator

The Transplant Coordinator RN is an integral member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team responsible for coordinating comprehensive, patient-centered lung transplant services for Veterans and their families. The RN demonstrates clinical leadership in delivering evidence-based nursing care through collaboration, communication, and coordination of resources to promote continuity of care, patient safety, and optimal healthcare outcomes.

Major duties

Major Duties of the Transplant Coordinator RN include but are not limited to: Coordinates all phases of the lung transplant process, including referral, evaluation, pre-transplant multidisciplinary assessments, wait-list management, discharge planning, and lifelong post-transplant follow-up. Provides competent, evidence-based nursing care, patient management, care coordination, and discharge/disposition planning for Veterans receiving transplant-related services in inpatient and outpatient settings. Facilitates timely processing of pre- and post-transplant requirements, including medical record reviews, ongoing monitoring, travel arrangements, imaging, pathology, and submission of transplant consideration packets through the Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO) Tracer Program. Serves as a liaison among the Washington DC VA Medical Center, MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute, VACO, referring providers, and other transplant-related organizations to coordinate comprehensive transplant services. Coordinates care with multiple healthcare providers across VA and community settings to promote continuity of care throughout the transplant process. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates individualized nursing care based on Veterans' clinical conditions, age-specific needs, treatment plans, and transplant requirements. Monitors medication management, treatment plans, and interdisciplinary team goals to promote patient safety and optimal transplant outcomes. Reviews, analyzes, and monitors laboratory and radiology results and communicates relevant findings and follow-up needs to healthcare providers. Utilizes databases and tracking systems to monitor transplant patients throughout all phases of care, evaluate outcomes, and ensure timely delivery of services. Coordinates and expedites patient care from diagnosis through treatment, addressing nursing, medical, and psychosocial needs in collaboration with the interdisciplinary healthcare team. Provides ongoing education and counseling to Veterans, families, and caregivers regarding transplantation status, treatment plans, self-management, and requirements for successful transplantation. Identifies patient-care concerns and initiates appropriate referrals to other disciplines and specialty services as needed. Accurately and timely documents patient assessments, findings, interventions, and care coordination activities in the electronic medical record. Functions as a clinical consultant and resource to members of the transplant team, promoting effective communication, collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making. Develops and supports implementation of policies, procedures, and protocols to promote consistent, safe, and effective transplant care. Collaborates with interdisciplinary healthcare professionals to evaluate care delivery, identify opportunities for improvement, and promote efficient use of healthcare resources. Coordinates staff education and supports the development of nursing knowledge and competencies related to lung transplantation. Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic, Veteran-centered care through interdisciplinary collaboration, critical thinking, and clinical judgment. Provides oversight of licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants, as appropriate to the practice setting, and supports nursing education, orientation, and competency development. Participates in quality improvement and performance improvement initiatives designed to enhance transplant services, patient experience, safety, and clinical outcomes. Supports professional development through mentoring, precepting, teaching, and sharing evidence-based clinical knowledge with nursing staff and interdisciplinary team members. Promotes Veteran-centered care by advocating for patients, families, and caregivers and addressing concerns related to care coordination, timeliness, access, and patient satisfaction. Maintains compliance with applicable VA policies, nursing standards, infection prevention practices, patient privacy requirements, and 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: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Telework: AD-HOC as determined by agency.
• 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/13091087.

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.

Preferred Work Experience/Education: Experienced Liver Transplant Coordinator to manage patients through all phases of transplant care, from pre-transplant evaluation and listing through post-transplant recovery and long-term follow-up

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.

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.