Career Center

The Advanced Practice Nurse is an independent member of the Medical Staff, with delineated clinical privileges. The Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Transplant Nephrology is a member of a multidisciplinary team and has primary responsibility for the management of care of outpatients across the spectrum of kidney transplant: pre-dialysis, hemodialysis, and post-renal transplantation. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. A nurse practitioner must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State, possess a master's degree from a program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE, and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. [The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected.] Preferred Experience: Experience in Adult Internal Medicine preferred. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. 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. Physical Requirements: Light lifting and carrying, under 15 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Near vision correctable at 13"-16" to jaeger 1 to 4; Ability to distinguish basic color and shades of color; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Mental and emotional stability required. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Transplant Nephrology NP will play a crucial role in all aspects of this care including outpatient consultation both in-person and via telemedicine, and performing follow-up evaluations of patients in renal transplant outpatient clinics, the inpatient setting, and the outpatient dialysis unit. This includes performing histories and physicals, ordering and interpreting diagnostic and therapeutic tests/studies, initiating consults and referrals, prescribing medications and supplies in accordance with VA policy, VA formulary and State regulations and formulating, and initiating and evaluating health care teaching for patients and their families. The Transplant Nephrology NP will provide care for patients in the PRE (kidney transplant evaluation) and POST (kidney transplant complications) clinics. The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating care with transplant and general nephrology physicians and their patients. The NP will: Obtain a health and medical history Perform a disease focused physical exam as well as formulate appropriate secondary diagnoses based on history, physical examination and clinical findings Implement and evaluate appropriate plans of care for kidney transplant patients Manage symptoms related to treatments, including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, according to VA policy, VA formulary and State regulations Assist with patient/family education and telephone triage within the transplant nephrology service Refer and coordinate with primary care providers, other health professionals and community agencies to manage patient needs An attending physician will not always be in clinic with the incumbent, but will always be available to come and consult as needed. The Transplant Nephrology NP will formulate a plan for each patient and will implement it through patient education, communication with the referring provider, electronic health record (EHR) orders, and communication with the nephrology service facilitator to schedule procedures as needed. The incumbent will document the visit in the EHR. These clinics will occur both in person and via telemedicine. The Transplant Nephrology NP will work closely with transplant nursing coordinators in the care of both PRE and POST transplant recipients. The follow up may involve phone calls, and may require the arrangement of urgent or scheduled clinic follow up. The incumbent will document all these interactions into the EHR. Dialysis and early post-transplant patient care will occur in person, and late post-transplant care will primarily be performed via telemedicine. The Transplant Nephrology NP will participate in inpatient evaluation and rounding with the multidisciplinary transplant service under the guidance of the Transplant Nephrologist. The Transplant Nephrology NP will serve as a consultant to medical and nursing staff and VISN 20 clinical leadership on the care of CKD patients throughout the medical center. The NP is a member of the interdisciplinary teaching team with responsibility for providing continuing education for a variety of health care professionals at VA and in the community. Additionally, the Transplant Nephrology NP is expected to participate in ongoing educational activities related to clinical knowledge and professional issues. The incumbent will seek experiences that reflect current clinical practice in order to maintain clinical skills and competence. The incumbent will participate in the shared coverage of night and weekend call, cross coverage, and other clinical responsibilities of the Nephrology Section. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases\nPaid 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)\nRetirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA\nInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)\nLicensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, Tours between 7:00am to 5:00pm\nCompressed/Flexible: Available\nTelework: Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]