Summary

The Tumor Tracker RN is responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients. The Tumor Tracker RN assists with screening new consults to expedite the efficient flow of patient care - streamlining processes as required. He/she tracks all suspicious lesions for follow up - tumor board recommendations - treatment referrals and expedites execution of treatment orders.

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.) Preferred Experience - BSN 1-2 years Oncology or pulmonary/hepatology experience strongly preferred
• 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/12754495
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (35 lbs and over)
• Heavy Carrying (35 lbs and over)
• Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour)
• Pushing (1 - 2 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 4 hours)
• Standing (up to 4 hours)
• Kneeling (up to 2 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 4 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• Far vision correctable to 20/20 in one eye and to 20/40 in the other
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• Emotionally/mentally stable

Duties

• The duties of the Nurse include - but are not limited to: Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age-specific components Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs Coordinates care with multiple providers across all levels and sites of care
• Coordination also includes assuring services interface within the Veterans Affairs (VA) and community programs to provide continuity of care to patients Provides oversight of the patient's journey through the diagnostic and treatment continuum - ensuring that all steps in the process are scheduled - timely and completed - while tracking the overall treatment plan Follows select patients from the earliest suspicion of cancer through the continuum of cancer care Assists with with screening new consults to expediate the efficient flow of patient care streamlining processes as required Tracks and identifies all suspicious lesions for follow up - tumor board recommendations - treatment referrals and expediting execution to treatment orders Interfaces with outside referral agencies - and ensures that their business and clinical practices are in compliance with regulatory standards Anticipates and implements preventive patient care measures Possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age-specific needs - providing care as considered necessary Provides guidance and education to patients and caregivers and collaborates with other professionals at all levels Addresses psychosocial - as well as nursing and medical needs of patients and their families/caregivers - through participation with the interdisciplinary care team Ensures the plan of care and educational requirements are individualized and tailored specifically to support each individual patient's needs Reports status of service needs and contributes to problem resolution and modification of processes as necessary Evaluates care and outcomes to ensure timely and appropriate provision of services Advocates for holistic care through patient/family education and provider interaction and implements an educational plan to meet the patient care needs
• Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others Evaluates practice in an ongoing process - based on best evidence Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals Contributes professional nursing perspective in discussions with the interdisciplinary team Partners with others to effect change and produce optimal outcomes Supports colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care Shares educational findings - experiences - and ideas with peers 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: Full time
• Specific tour information will be discussed during interview Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized