Nurse Practitioner - Home Based Primary Care

Summary The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) III Certified Nurse Practitioner (NP) practices in Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Service to provide a full range of services emphasizing quality, timeliness, and the advancement of the Veterans Affairs (VA) mission.

The Nurse Practitioner collaborates with the HBPC Medical Director and is responsible for assuming primary medical responsibility for assigned patients.

Care is delivered directly to Veterans in their home. Responsibilities Major duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to : Independently manages a panel of patients with acute and chronic health conditions with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention using evidence-based practice.

Develops and implements an individualized plan to achieve optimal population health and disease management. Demonstrates leadership and works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team.

Orders and interprets labs, tests, and diagnostic studies. Prescribes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.

Initiates referrals and consults to specialty services. Provides education to patients and their families. Assesses and adjusts the plan of care as needed to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

Exemplifies the ICARE core values of-Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. The incumbent must adhere to Joint Commission National Patient Safety.

The incumbent must have a current, valid driver's license. 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 : 8 : 00 AM - 4 : 30 PM, Monday - Friday;

Subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Telework : Not Available. Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not authorized. 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. 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.

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.

The provider must be willing to travel primarily in the Hattiesburg, MS Catchment area and other GVSMG HBPC catchment areas based on the needs of the service.

A GSA vehicle will be provided for driving / travel. Qualifications Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements 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.

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).

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. 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.

The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) III : 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. Preferred Experience : Must possess experience working as an APRN for at least two years.

Must be able to qualify for a full unrestricted MS driver's license. Previous geriatric medicine, primary care, home care, and palliative care experience.

Must possess experience utilizing CMS guidelines and standards as well as safety procedures and protocols regarding the elderly identified by CMS.

Must possess experience in the practicing of the BEERS criteria list. Must possess experience and autonomy in caring for complex veteran populations in their homes.

Must possess experience working with an interdisciplinary team. Must possess experience teaching residents, colleagues, and nurses.

Must be willing to travel primarily in the Hattiesburg, MS area as well as within the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center HBPC catchment area based on the needs of the service.

Reference : For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Physical Requirements : This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting.

The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing.

The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.

The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Applicants must possess the mental and physical ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment.

Physical requirements may involve lifting, carrying, pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, walking, standing, sitting, kneeling, and repeated bending.

The incumbent must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing on hire, as a condition of employment.

In the performance of duties, applicants may be required to drive and / or ride in GSA vehicles. See Form OF-178 for detailed job specific requirements.

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 : 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 : Additional Information 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.