Registered Nurse - Patient Care Coordinator (General Surgery)

Quick Facts

• Role: Registered Nurse – Patient Care Coordinator (General Surgery)
• Focus: Coordinating nursing care and surgical patient transitions across the continuum of care

Description

You will be responsible and accountable for the nursing process for general surgery patients, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care. The role emphasizes care coordination focused on patient transitions, patient and family education for self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that improve satisfaction. You will administer medications and perform procedures according to established policies and guidelines while collaborating with an interdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Schedule surgical patients for the Cleveland VA Medical Center and Outpatient Surgery Center using appropriate OR block time
• Track, analyze, and manage pre-operative evaluations, laboratory, and radiology results; provide information to providers and identify concerns
• Assist providers with communicating and tracking patient results in a timely manner per VHA Directive 1088
• Support surveillance and survivorship care coordination for surgical oncology patients and critically complex patients
• Provide evidence-based education, information, and materials for surgical patients and families
• Coordinate scheduling challenges, including multiple time-sensitive appointments across departments in short periods of time
• Coordinate accommodations and transportation needs for patients and families to avoid delays in care
• Advocate for holistic care by implementing an educational plan aligned to patient care needs
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary groups (oncology/hematology, radiation therapy, interventional radiology, pathology, and the Cancer Care Committee) for timely treatment
• Collaborate with VISN 10 facilities to complete Inter-Facility Consults and maintain continuity of care
• Coordinate with non-VA health systems to retrieve progress notes, imaging CDs, and procedure reports for surgical planning
• Assist with employment and insurance documentation (e.g., FMLA, return-to-work/duty forms, short-term and long-term insurance forms)
• Return phone calls and complete in-office clerical duties (answer phone, faxing, scanning)

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases and potential performance awards
• 50 days of paid time off per year (annual leave, sick leave, and paid federal holidays)
• Traditional federal pension and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance options
• Comprehensive federal benefits package (eligibility depends on position type)

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship required (non-citizens only if qualified citizens cannot be recruited per VA policy)
• English language proficiency (written and spoken) for direct patient care roles
• Graduate of an accredited professional nursing program (ACEN or CCNE) or meet VA-accepted education/registration equivalency requirements
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license
• Background/security investigation and completion of pre-employment onboarding and physical evaluation
• Compliance with drug testing requirements if applicable and participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program
• Selective Service Registration for eligible male candidates
• Ability to meet physical requirements for the role, including moderate lifting (up to 35 lb) and use of an appropriate mechanical lift