Career Center

The Nurse Practitioner - Nephrology examines and assesses nephrology patients and is responsible for participating in all aspects of care for patients seen with chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury and kidney transplant as well as patients that receive dialysis in the acute/chronic dialysis unit. The incumbent reports directly and practices under the Chief of the Nephrology Section and is responsible for providing medical services to eligible veterans. 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. 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. *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.]*Certification in one of the following areas will be accepted: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (ACNP-BC) Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (AGACNP-BC) Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Adult/Gerontology (ACNPC-AG) Acute Care Nurse Practitioner- Board Certified (ACNP-BC) Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (FNP-BC) Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Certified (AGPCNP-BC) Adult Nurse Practitioner-Certified (ANP-C) Gerontology Nurse Practitioner- Board Certified (GNP-BC) Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Adult/Gerontology (ACNPC-AG) Acute Care Nurse Practitioner- Board Certified (ACNP-BC) Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) 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. To perform in a fully successful manner, the individual must have the physical ability to perform job-related duties which require lifting, standing, bending, transferring, stooping, stretching, walking, pushing, or pulling without assistance from another patient care provider or significant other. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. 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 must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. ["The Nurse Practitioner - Nephrology: Possesses responsibility for the diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients with kidney disease. Participates in person encounters, telephone consultations, telemedicine, and VA video connect methods of care. Works in close collaboration with attending nephrologists, nephrology fellows, the nephrology access coordinator, interventional radiologist, vascular surgeon, both VA/community-based transplant coordinators and any support staff. Coordinates the delivery of complex Nephrology outpatient and inpatient care with other members of the health care team. Works effectively with others, establish relationships with professional or other health related groups, and performs duties as a Nephrology Nurse Practitioner in the nephrology clinic. Provides accurate interpretation of laboratory results and test/procedure findings in order to establish a plan of care and the oversight and provision of outpatient hemodialysis. Possesses responsibility for the maintenance of clinical activity statistics and implementation of quality improvement initiatives for outpatient hemodialysis, report updates, important trends, or issues to the ESRD committee. Provides education on dialysis modality options and assist with coordination of care for patients choosing to do peritoneal dialysis. Prepares and submits kidney transplant evaluation package. Attends medicine service, nephrology section, ESRD committee meetings and dialysis group meetings when scheduled and available. Practices in a manner that supports and enhances the Memphis VAMC philosophy and goals. Serves as the lead in assuring performance measures are met for the Memphis VAMC nephrology section and communicates these performance measures to the nephrology staff. Provides comprehensive evidence-based care to patients with all stages of kidney disease in collaboration with nephrologists. Provides specialty care to veterans in person in a variety of hospital settings including the clinics, in-patient wards and dialysis unit. Assesses patients, performs histories and physicals, orders and interprets diagnostic and therapeutic tests/studies, initiates consults and referrals, prescribes medications, formulates, initiates and evaluates health care teaching for cardiac patients and their families. Oversees the management of out-patients receiving hemodialysis in the dialysis unit, including writing/updating dialysis orders and reviewing labs. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay Schedule: NF97\nWork Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8A-430P\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]