Registered Nurse (PACT) Primary Care

To qualify for this Registered Nurse (PACT) Primary Care position, you must meet basic education and licensure requirements. A graduate degree from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing program and an active, unrestricted RN license in any U.S. State or territory are required. Grade determination depends on education and experience level.

• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English per 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of program completion.
• Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's degree in Nursing may be appointed temporarily upon state licensure, then converted to permanent after bridge program graduation.
• Graduates of foreign nursing schools must possess a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration to meet the education requirement; higher degrees require equivalency validation from a recognized service such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory, Commonwealth (e.g., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia.
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who meet education requirements but lack licensure may be appointed as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment (extendable up to two years) while actively pursuing licensure.
• Grade Determinations: Nurse I, Level I requires an ADN or Diploma; Nurse I, Level II requires ADN/Diploma plus 1 year experience or BSN; Nurse I, Level III requires ADN/Diploma plus 2 years experience or BSN plus 1 year or MSN; Nurse II requires BSN plus 2 years or MSN plus 1 year; Nurse III requires MSN plus 2 years or Doctoral degree plus 1 year.
• Preferred Experience: Primary care nursing experience.
• Grandfathering Provision: Current VHA employees in the 0610 series performing duties as described on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held.
• Education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Manage assigned patient panel(s) using registries to ensure appropriate evaluation and access.

• Provide health promotion, health education, and coaching on wellness, disease prevention, and chronic care management.
• Assist in directing nursing education, orientation, competencies, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrate leadership in delivering and improving complete, primary care through collaborative strategies.
• Evaluate practice in an ongoing process based on best evidence.
• Provide peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement.
• Supports a safe and supportive environment conducive to professional development of healthcare professionals.
• Contribute professional outpatient nursing perspective in interdisciplinary team discussions.
• Partner with others to effect change and produce optimal outcomes.
• Support colleagues through knowledge sharing to ensure safe, quality outpatient nursing care.

U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may be appointed only 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; refusal to be tested will result in denial of employment.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants must complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for all VA Health Care Personnel (HCP); exemptions may be granted for medical or religious reasons, but face mask use is required if exempted.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification required for pre-employment; driver's licenses or state-issued IDs that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be used after May 7, 2025.

A career with the U.S. government provides a complete benefits package including health insurance, retirement, and paid leave.

• Eligibility for benefits depends on position type (full-time, part-time, or intermittent).
• Federal employees and their families have access to a range of benefits designed to make a federal career rewarding.
• Contact the hiring agency for more information on specific benefits offered.

Open to the public (U.S. Citizens, Nationals) and current permanent employees of VA Bedford Healthcare System, including Past/Current/Upcoming Graduates of VHA Health Trainee Programs (HPT) who must provide proof such as an SF-50.

• Telework eligible as determined by agency policy (ad-hoc).
• This is a Title 38 position; Veterans' preference applies when qualifications are approximately equal.
• The salary range is $90,303
• $178,159 per year; the recommended salary may be at any point in the range based on education, experience, and grade determination.
• Agency contact: Jessenia Plaza, Phone (781) 473-6094, Fax (781) 687-3673, Email [email protected].
• Address: VA Bedford Healthcare System, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730 US.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment; HCP must receive annual vaccination or obtain an exemption.
• VA policy does not deny employment to those who have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
• Veterans and Transitioning Service Members can visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools.

The VA Bedford Healthcare System is part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, providing complete healthcare services to Veterans in the Bedford, Massachusetts area. The system includes a medical center, community living center, and outpatient clinics, serving a diverse Veteran population. This Registered Nurse (PACT) Primary Care position is integral to the Patient Aligned Care Team model, which emphasizes coordinated, patient-centered primary care. Working at VA Bedford offers the opportunity to serve those who have served, with a focus on complete and evidence-based care.