The Registered Nurse practices excellent customer service in all work activities. Must be poised and articulate in communicating with people of varied educational levels and varied ethnic backgrounds. The registered nurse provides care and counseling of persons and the maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process. Priority in caring for the veteran while in the work setting and demonstrates customer service principles in all aspects of work. 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.) Preferred Experience: Minimum of one year recent OR experience as an RN required with in the last 3 years. Wound Care preferred Ambulatory care preferred Med-surg preferred Procedural experiences perferred Documented excellent interpersonal relationship skills with demonstrated ability to work with multidisciplinary groups effectively, clinical competency documented in prior nursing assignments Demonstrated exceptional ability to make critical decisions in stressful environments and Demonstrated dependability and flexibility 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. 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/12566793. 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: Incumbent must possess the mental and physical ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment. Physical requirements include visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. May involve potentially long periods of lifting, carrying, pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, walking, standing, sitting, kneeling, and repeated bending. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Safe patient handling equipment is provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive, sit and/or ride in GSA-vehicles for long periods of time. ["***PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN ONLY TO THE PUBLIC. IF YOU ARE A PERMANENT VA EMPLOYEE, YOU SHOULD APPLY UNDER THE ANNOUNCEMENT CBTC-12545403-24-CB*** VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Registered Nurse demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. Nurse will demonstrates proficiency in decision-making and using the nursing process for complex situations that affects performance outcomes at the point of care. The incumbent utilizes nursing skills and knowledge in an independent manner in areas of patient assessment and planning. The incumbent collaborates with the interdisciplinary health care team, community agencies/facilities, and patient/families/significant others to ensure continuity of care across all levels of care as well as ensuring timely placement of VA patients into the appropriate level of care. Practice is enhanced through development of collegial relationships. S/he demonstrates collaboration by using the group process to solve problems. The focus is on leadership in strategically planning long-term goals for the microsystem (unit, team, or workgroup) that impacts operations or resources. Duties include, but are not limited to: Applies the nursing process to systems or processes at the unit/team/work group level to improve care. Demonstrates leadership by involving others in improving care. Supports and enhances patient self-determination. Serves as a resource for patients and staff in addressing ethical issues. Identifies and assesses resource utilization and safety issues, taking appropriate action. Acquires knowledge and skills to maintain expertise in area of practice. Participates in educational activities to improve clinical knowledge and enhance role performance. Evaluates practice of self and others using professional standards, relevant statutes, and regulations. Takes action to improve performance. Uses group process to identify, analyze, and resolve care problems. Educates colleagues and/or students and serves as a preceptor or mentor. Initiates/participates in quality improvement activities that result in approved outcomes. Uses body of research to validate and/or change work group practice. 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: Monday -Friday 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.