Nurse

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Qualifications:

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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. 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:
3 year of Nursing experience in Specialty clinic

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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience.

Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required.

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:
Involves considerable amount of standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. Requires carrying or lifting of objects weighing up to 50 lbs., but occasionally may require work that involves 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 neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally ill clients. Requires use of hands for actions such as typing, simple grasping, fine manipulation, and repetitive actions. Requires the ability to frequently respond to multiple demands and priorities. Has potential for exposure to infectious diseases, hazardous waste and chemicals. Emotional and mental stability - ability to effectively perform the essential functions of the position and respond appropriately in emergency situations

Responsibilities:

The Ambulatory Specialty Clinics Care RN Care Manager services performed in the Specialty Care Clinics include, but are not limited to: Addiction Medicine Clinic, Allergy Clinic, Cardiology Clinic, Cardio-Thoracic Clinic, Chest/Pulmonary Clinic, Chiropractic Clinic, Dermatology Clinic, Diabetes Education, Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT) Clinic, Endocrinology Clinic, Eye Clinic, Gastroenterology Clinic, General Surgery Clinic, Hand and Plastics Reconstruction Clinic, Hepatology Clinic, Nephrology Clinic, Neurology Clinic, Orthopedics Clinic, Pain Management & Rehabilitation Clinic, Podiatry Clinic, Rheumatology Clinic, Urology Clinic, and Vascular/Wound Clinic.

• Familiarity with/knowledgeable of medical/surgical disease process(es).
• Demonstrate sound critical thinking, judgement, and assessment skills based on the patient's expressed &/or direct/indirect observation of signs, symptomology, and history
• Complete work assignments within established time frames
• Maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and completes (timely) quarterly Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) training

WORKPLACE HARMONY/TEAMWORK

• Conduct oneself professionally and respectfully in the workplace.
• Engage in professional collaboration with all internal and external customers, supervisors, etc.
• Resolve inter-professional discrepancies at the lowest level
• Report inter-professional challenges or patient/family member concerns to Nurse Manager

CLINIC FLOW/CLINIC MANAGEMENT

• Aid in supporting/balancing clinic supply/demand and streamlining clinic flow for timely patient access to care by:
  • Performing routine review of clinic grids/scheduling practices (as appropriate)
  • Performing timely communication/notification of clinic cancellations(s) with clinic scheduler, Clinic Practice Manager and Nursing Leadership
  • Provision of Timely triage/rescheduling with alternate provider within the same day

CARE COORDINATION CARE PLANNING/DOCUMENTATION

• Provide timely and appropriate documentation in the Electronic Health System (EHR)
• Use of correct note and note titles (i.e., historic note, addendums, etc.)
• Timely completion and signature of notes & alerts
• Timely review/completion of unsigned notes/un-cosigned notes as identified in audit reports
• Complies with VHA Consult Management standards for documentation and established timelines
• Order travel consults for upcoming appointments

TELEHEALTH

• Serves in a role to support Telehealth clinical programs across the system.
• Conducts Telehealth, Tele-presenting, Veteran Video Connect (VVC), or WebEx Appointments.

PATIENT/FAMILY EDUCATION

• Provide patient and family health education, pre-op teaching, prevention, and wellness, based on the patient's goals
• Review of Medication Inventory List (Medication Reconciliation)
• Provision of After Visit Summary (as/where applicable)

CLINICAL REMINDER/ALERT MANAGEMENT

• Perform timely management/notification/documentation/resolution of, but not limited to the following:
  • Clinical Reminders
  • Alerts
  • Clinical Alert Triage
  • Secure Messaging
  • Critical Lab Values

ENVIRONMENT OF CARE

• Ensure appropriate delegation/completion of clinic task assignments to optimize safe clinical environment for staff, patients, and visitors.
• Ensure clean and orderly exam rooms, procedural suites, and supply rooms are fully stocked by end of each day
• Maintaining inventory/supply list and order to ensure adequate supply
• Maintain inventory supply list, ensuring supply and sterile instrument inventory sufficiency
• Ensure compliance and documentation of environmental temperature/humidity monitoring compliance of all refrigerators, consumables supply, re-usable, &/or loaned supply items &/or devices
• Provision of strategic staffing coverage where needed
• Travel may be required to meet the needs of the organization; valid driver's license required.

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: Monday to Friday, 0800-1630
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Travel: Travel may be required to meet the needs of the organization; valid driver's license required.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact VHACINEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required