Registered Nurse - PACT Care Manager
Veterans Health Administration
Fort Harrison, Montana
The Registered Nurse will demonstrate foundational professional nursing practice by applying the nursing process and delivering Veteran-centered care that supports patient experience, satisfaction, and safety.
Posted Sep 8 · New grads welcomed
- Shift and hours
- M-F, 8:00am-4:30pm Work Schedule: Full-Time, M-F, 8:00am-4:30pm5 shifts · 40 hours a week
- Unit and setting
- Outpatient Primary Care (PACT) clinic · Military Veterans
- License
- RN license RN license from any US State, Territory, Commonwealth, or District of Columbia
- Term
- Permanent Work Schedule: Full-Time, M-F, 8:00am-4:30pmFull-Time
Do you qualify?
- New grads
- Welcomed
- License
- RN license from any US State, Territory, Commonwealth, or District of Columbia Check your license
- Also asks
- Basic written and spoken English proficiency In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
- Also asks
- U.S. Citizenship (non-citizens only appointed if qualified citizens cannot be recruited)
- Also asks
- Pre-employment drug screening urinalysis 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.
- Also asks
- Selective Service Registration for males born after 12/31/1959 Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Also asks
- Pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
- Also asks
- Participation in seasonal influenza vaccination program Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Preferred
- Experience
- prior VA nursing experience Preferred Experience: 2 years of outpatient primary care experience along with 2 years of prior VA nursing experience and outpatient experience preferred.
- Experience
- outpatient primary care experience
Your six-month RN application plan
Start about six months before graduation. Some programs open earlier; use each employer’s application dates.
6 months before
Shortlist units
Check application windows. Gather clinical experience, references and your expected graduation date.
Find residencies →4–6 months before
Apply as windows open
Apply before graduation when the program allows it. Keep the cohort date and license deadline with each application.
Explore new grad jobs →2–3 months before
Meet the unit manager
Ask about overtime, a shadow shift, preceptor continuity and the schedule after orientation.
Prepare your questions →Around graduation
Confirm your start
Coordinate NCLEX, the required license and your start date. Get relocation and repayment terms in writing.
Plan your license →
Why start this early?
Advocate describes a 6–9 month application runway for several regional RN programs. These milestones are a planning guide, not deadlines for every employer. See program calendars.
What it pays
- Against similar roles
- Montana staff median is $87k/yrMontana staff postings that state pay run $64k/yr to $119k/yr, the middle half $82k/yr to $104k/yr, across 214 postings. This posting's $83k/yr to $147k/yr is wider than that, so where you land depends on the offer.
- Pay reviews
- Regular salary increases and potential for performance awards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
Benefits
- Benefits50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays)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)
- BenefitsTraditional federal pension (5 years vesting)Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
- BenefitsFederal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
- BenefitsFederal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insuranceInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
- Competitive salary
- regular salary increases
More benefits (4)
- potential for performance awards
- 50 days of paid time off per year
- Traditional federal pension
- Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care
The role and schedule
- Day to day
- Execute position responsibilities demonstrating leadership, experience, and creative approaches to complex care management Execute position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex patient care beyond the immediate care setting.
- Day to day
- Provide nursing care and care coordination in Outpatient Primary Care (PACT) clinic Demonstrate expertise in professional nursing practice to provide nursing care and care coordination in Outpatient Primary Care (PACT) clinic.
- Day to day
- Function as a key team member providing coordinated nursing care to patient panels Function as a key team member providing comprehensive, coordinated nursing care to panels of patients.
- Day to day
- Lead proactive, patient-centered care using nursing expertise and standardized protocols
- Day to day
- Act as primary coordinator for designated patient panels emphasizing wellness and chronic care management Act as the primary coordinator for a designated panel of patients emphasizing health promotion, chronic care management, patient self-management support, and overall wellness.
- Day to day
- Collaborate with PACT team and external services to facilitate care transitions and access
- Day to day
- Engage in patient and family education and advocacy Engage in patient and family education and advocate for patients' needs to enhance patient outcomes and wellness.
- Day to day
- Champion collaborative team approach for managing patient panels
- Day to day
- Use multiple electronic health platforms to manage patient care Competent in using multiple electronic health platforms to manage patient care.
- Day to day
- Follow CDC guidelines and informed decision making on vaccine administration Able to follow CDC guidelines and provider-patient informed decision making recommendations on vaccine administration.
- Care model
- PACT (Patient Aligned Care Team)
- Hours stated
- Full-Time, M-F, 8:00am-4:30pm
- Weekends
- No weekends
- Details
- Telework authorized on a situational (ad hoc) basis only; not virtual or remote Telework: This position is authorized for telework - situational (ad hoc) and has NOT been authorized as virtual or remote.
- Details
- Relocation/Recruitment incentives not authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
- Details
- Permanent Change of Station (PCS) not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
- Details
- Pushing or lifting in excess of 50 pounds The work may involve pushing or lifting in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs.
- Details
- Subject to background/security investigation Subject to background/security investigation.
- Details
- May be required to serve a probationary period You may be required to serve a probationary period.
The workplace
Worth asking
- Can you walk me through differentials?
- What should I expect for holiday, call, and rotation?
More questions to askFewer questions
- What orientation, preceptor time, and ongoing unit support are included?
- How are patient load, floating, and staffing support handled day to day?
Your fit
Original listing
Posted on Veterans Health Administration’s careers page.
Read full text
The Registered Nurse will demonstrate foundational professional nursing practice by applying the nursing process and delivering Veteran-centered care that supports patient experience, satisfaction, and safety.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpaTtyybXFQ Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Execute position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex patient care beyond the immediate care setting. Demonstrate expertise in professional nursing practice to provide nursing care and care coordination in Outpatient Primary Care (PACT) clinic. Function as a key team member providing comprehensive, coordinated nursing care to panels of patients.
Lead proactive, patient-centered care by using nursing expertise, evidence-based guidelines, and standardized nursing protocols to improve outcomes within the immediate PACT and beyond. Act as the primary coordinator for a designated panel of patients emphasizing health promotion, chronic care management, patient self-management support, and overall wellness. Collaborate with the PACT team members, extended care support team and external services to develop and implement holistic, patient-driven care, facilitate care transitions, and ensure timely, coordinated access to health care resources.
Engage in patient and family education and advocate for patients' needs to enhance patient outcomes and wellness. Champion a collaborative team approach for managing patient panels, ensuring continuity and quality of care tailored to individual patient goals and needs with positive outcomes for patients, the immediate practice setting, and beyond the immediate practice setting. Competent in using multiple electronic health platforms to manage patient care.
Able to follow CDC guidelines and provider-patient informed decision making recommendations on vaccine administration. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards 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, M-F, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: This position is authorized for telework - situational (ad hoc) and has NOT been authorized as virtual or remote. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Basic
Requirements
English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U. S. C. 7403(f), 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 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); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program.
Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).
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. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Preferred
Experience
2 years of outpatient primary care experience along with 2 years of prior VA nursing experience and outpatient experience preferred. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13058023. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies.
An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required.
Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.
Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.
MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical
Requirements
The Registered Nurse (RN) 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 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 position 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. The RN may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures. The RN may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.
The RN must be mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities, based on patient needs.
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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
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. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.…
What's around it?
Fort Harrison, MT
Living costs about 5% below the US average