Registered Nurse (Assistant Nurse Manager)

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 29, 2023, or until vacancy is filled. The first group of eligible applicants will be reviewed December 12, 2023. Subsequent reviews will be conducted as needed until position is filled.

Qualifications:

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: Bachelor's degree in nursing is preferred.

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: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are 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 requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Responsibilities:

Major Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Work closely with the staff and is accountable to the Nurse Manager in the Oklahoma City Health Care System (OKCVAHCS) in delivering care to a diverse group of Veteran
• In collaboration with the Nurse Manager, function as a supervisor and assume accountability for the operation of unit that includes the management, supervision and evaluation of care delivered by nursing and other allied health care staff.
• Responsible for contributing to the establishment and implementation of evidenced-based nursing standards of practice
• In collaboration with the Nurse Manger, create a positive work environment which enhances care delivery and professional development of clinically competent staff
• Promote, create, demonstrate and ensure a culturally diverse workforce in which the values and needs of all individuals are respected
• Facilitate an interdisciplinary approach to high quality, cost effective, and customer-focused health care
• Responsible for fostering Just Culture and modeling traits of being a Highly Reliable Organization
• Attend leadership and facility level meetings and as a nursing representative, keep nursing leadership informed of issues with the potential to impact nursing or patient care
• Utilize a variety of communication tools and methods to disseminate information to their staff
• In collaboration with the Nurse Manager, provide timely information regarding emergencies, unusual occurrences or issues that impact nursing practice or operations to the Associate Chief Nurse and/or the Associate Director of Patient Care Services
• Deliver fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies
• Demonstrate a high level of clinical expertise, leadership, and creative approaches to management of complex care
• Apply skills necessary to identify, coordinate, and/or identify discipline-specific education, and emerging needs, to all levels of staff
• Nurse supervisor and provide oversight for the administration of leave, counseling and disciplinary actions in collaboration with the Nurse Manager
• Act as the Nurse Manger during times of Nurse Manager absences
• Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care based on age-specific components
• Assume responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction
• Consider all characteristics of the individual, including age and life stages, state of health, race and culture, values, and previous experiences
• Administer medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines
• Influence care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as customer service programs
• Serve as an assistant with line authority to the unit Nurse Manager in providing leadership, supervision, and direction to nursing staff
• Perform delegated duties, i.e., develop time schedules, complete performance evaluations, and initiate or recommend disciplinary actions, responsible for performance improvement, customer service/patient satisfaction, patient and employee safety, employee relations, standards of care and practice, the work environment, and accreditation and regulatory standards
• Actively develop and manage collaborative partnerships with physicians and other clinicians

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: Varies based on needs of unit
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required