Career Center

The Hepatology Nurse Navigator (HNN) will work in Outpatient Hepatology and Liver Clinics under the direct supervision and support of two hepatologists. The HNN will establish and maintain collaborative and communicative relationships within hepatology and other clinical, ancillary, diagnostic, research, nursing and administrative services within and outside the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center. 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. Preferred Experience: Experience in Hepatology as a Navigator and/or strong desire to work in the field of Hepatology. Able to manage patients with various liver diseases. Must have excellent organizational skills and follow through, pays attention to detail and able to work independently. 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 I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's 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 incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting and turning. It requires repositioning patients and assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/stretchers. Mechanical devices when available are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care. The positions requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with the neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect him/herself from physically abusive patients. ["Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Coordinate schedulers regarding scheduling of endoscopic and hepatology procedures (e.g. liver biopsy, paracentesis, EGD/colonoscopies) for hepatitis and pre and post liver transplant patients. Follow-up scheduling of patients for clinics and subsequent procedures. Conduct education and risk-factor modification programs for patient with hepatitis including appropriate counseling with referrals to smoking-cessation clinic, physical fitness/rehabilitation MOVE program and nutrition. Submit consults for substance abuse and pre-transplant screening to appropriate mental health personnel. Review all ECHCS Hepatology and Inter-facility VISN Hepatology consults with staff and physicians; act upon them based on provider guidance; follow up to make sure patients are scheduled. Train to be certified on the FibroScan; perform FibroScans in the liver clinic and dedicated FibroScan clinics Function as the liaison between the liver clinic and the FibroScan vendor; order supplies for the Fibroscan such as SonoWipes and printer cartridges for the printer to maintain operational status of the equipment. Maintain a systematic program for evaluation of patients undergoing liver transplant evaluation. Ensure follow-up of post-transplant patients per transplanting center's protocols; orders diagnostic testing, travel, lodging, frequent laboratory testing, updates changes in immunosuppressant medication therapy, maintains close communication with variety of transplanting centers. Educate transplant patient and family regarding process of transplantation evaluation and responsibilities, clarifies expectations and discusses potential outcomes. Provide statistical information to guide focused health care for Veterans with liver diseases. Facilitate communication between the Hepatology Department and VA providers, transplant centers, and community care providers. Sends requests for records and imaging CDs to other facilities. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm\nCompressed/Flexible: No\nTelework: Not Authorized.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not require."]