The incumbent provides palliative care services to the inpatients, Community Living Center (CLC) residents, and outpatients at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center (OGJVAMC) in Iron Mountain, Michigan. The function of the RN is is to provide, direct, and supervise the delivery of quality nursing care to a culturally diverse Veteran population and is directly responsible to the Associate Chief Nurse, VA Community Care/Home & Community Based Care (VACC/H&CBC) 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 the appropriate State-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). 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. 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: Walking, bending, stooping and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards * The RN possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively apply all aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting. This broad based clinical knowledge enables the RN to effectively implement health promotion and prevention interventions, manage acute and chronic illness states, assist veterans in the attainment of optimal levels of functioning through rehabilitation, and provide supportive measures for the dying patient and their significant others. The registered nurse possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to: - Communicate and interact appropriately and courteously with internal and external customers. - Maintain confidentiality of patient/employee information electronically, verbally, and written. - Work and function within a safe manner including infection control and operation of equipment. - Integrate and apply pertinent aspects of the Medical Center performance improvement program into his/her professional practice. - Utilize nursing research and literature in daily practice. - Report errors/omissions in a timely manner to appropriate staff member/supervisor. * Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age related and population specific needs of the patient served in his/her assigned service area. This knowledge includes an understanding of the changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric population. He/she must be able to assess and interpret data relating to the patient's current health status, which will facilitate the delivery of care appropriate to the age specific and population specific needs of the adult and geriatric patient. * Facilitates and promotes the delivery of high quality of care to the patients at the end of life. This includes regular reassessment of treatment efficacy, response to treatment, and patient family preferences assessed and documented. * Facilitates and promotes staff interaction with the patients and significant others. *Participates in the development of a comprehensive, individualized plan of care based on assessment of the patient's palliative care needs and involves the patient and family in development of the care plan *Participates in the development of policies and procedures for the palliative care program and assists in assuring that facility is in compliance with VHA Directives and handbooks to assure survey readiness (T JC , OIG, etc.) *Identifies learning needs of patients/families and provides individualized teaching. Ensures that patients/family demonstrate knowledge of health status, treatments, symptom management, medications, and adaptive behaviors gained as a result of education. *Ensures that education and training programs are in place for staff and are effective in meeting staff needs. *Conducts interdisciplinary conferences, in-services, and attends staff meetings to present palliative care information to improve staff program performance. *Assures action items, reports, and surveys are completely accurately and within a timely manner. *Actively promotes dialogue with patients, families, and the health care team to address and plan for issues related to living with and dying from life limiting progressive illness. 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 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required."]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
