Nurse Practitioner

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities The Pain Clinic Advance Practicing Registered Nurse (APRN) Nurse Practitioner position is a member of the interdisciplinary pain management team at the within the Neurology Department at the Washington VA Medical Center. The Pain Management program offers comprehensive pain care to Veterans with complex chronic pain conditions including medication management, interventional pain procedures, behavioral and physical therapy, and evaluation and treatment access for opioid use disorder. The Pain Clinic has an active interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program and is seeking CARF accreditation. The Pain Clinic APRN works closely with all members of the Chronic Pain Clinic, including, physicians, APRN and Physician Assistant providers, pharmacists, nurses and other professionals. The Pain Clinic APRN participates in the activities of the interdisciplinary Pain Management program, including evaluating and treating patients with pain disorders. The APRN provides care via telehealth, including individual and group visits delivered virtually by video or phone. After appropriate training and supervision, the APRN may perform small bedside procedures such as trigger point injections for musculoskeletal pain, or battle-field acupuncture. The APRN provides care through E-consultation and responds to secure messaging, reviews consultation/referral requests, and supports the pain team regarding scheduling and care coordination. Duties The Pain Clinic APRN has advanced knowledge and skills in the assessment and management of the physical and psychological problems of the population by which he/she serves. Utilizing a patient-centered model of care approach for delivery of services, the APRN will either have a scope of practice which guides their individual practice or be granted full practice authority in accordance with the By-Laws for the Medical Staff. The care delivery for the Pain Clinic APRN will be performed in conjunction with the inter-professional team members and includes management of the patients assigned under his/her care and the APRN will provide comprehensive care to meet that patient''s needs. This can include but is not limited to assessment of the patient''s current condition, the status of any known chronic illness, diagnosis of any new illnesses, and prescribing appropriate treatment and therapies (including medications) in accordance with either his/her scope of practice or credentialing authority by the Chief of Staff. The medication management of pain, as managed and prescribed by the ARPN, includes medication for pain and related other conditions, and this may include treatment for opioid use disorder, if managed in the Pain Clinic. The APRN delivers care in person, virtually thorough VA approved video links to other facilities and to patient homes, and through phone care. The Pain Clinic APRN is responsible for applying relevant clinical guidelines when recommending or implementing care. He/she may be required to cover other providers when needed or perform any number of functions as a member of the healthcare team. He/she provides care in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner that is sensitive to the adult or elderly patient and family''s diversity, preserving their autonomy, dignity and rights. The Pain Clinic APRN III RN focuses on problems, initiates referrals to other disciplines and/or services as appropriate. He/she accurately documents in the medical record patient findings, assessments, and care provided. He/she assigns staff to provide care based on staff competencies and identifies priorities to ensure safe and effective patients care. He/she demonstrates and/or verbalizes correct responses to emergencies as well as initiates effective action in emergencies. The Pain Clinic ARPN demonstrates understanding of infection control precautions appropriate for the patient population. He/she leads unit-based shared performance improvement and safety initiatives. He/she serves as a resource nurse for the Nurse I Level 1, Nurse I Level 2, and Nurse I Level 3 nurses. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases 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 40 hours per week 8:00am- 4:30pm Telework: Partial telework possible, depending on clinic needs Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [Click Here to Email Your Resumé], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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. Qualifications 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. Nurse Practitioner. 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. Family Nurse Practitioner Adult Nurse Practitioner Preferred Experience: Experience in treating patients with chronic pain preferred Experience with treating Veterans preferred Experience with providing telehealth care preferred Experience working in a interdisciplinary program strongly preferred Current DEA-X waiver and experience managing and prescribing of buprenorphine medications for pain and opioid use disorder 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 - Master''s degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - 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: The population of male and female Veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. DCVAMC is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients. There is a large outpatient psychiatric population, with visits to the Emergency Department and admissions for medical comorbidities. 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. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. 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, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. 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: 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: Additional Information 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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

Created: 2025-09-06