Positions may be 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. 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. Preferred Experience: MED SURG BLS certified 1 yr acute care experience ICU BSN or MSN degree preference Preferred experience: 2-3 years of acute care experience with preference given to those with ICU experience BLS and ACLS certification Palliative Care BLS certified ACLS certified within 90 days 1 yr acute care experience preferred. Step Down BLS certified 1 yr acute care experience including Step down or ICU preferred. ED BLS certified ACLS within 90 days of hire 1 yr acute care experience preferred. Mental Health BLS certified 1 yr acute care experience preferred 1 year Mental Health experience preferred Operating Surgical Unit BLS Certified 1 year acute care experience 1 year clinic or care management experience 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: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform the following: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; straight pulling one (1) hour; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking seven (7) hours; standing seven (7) hours. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards This is an open continuous announcement until September 29, 2023. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. Applicants will remain active for 3 months after their initial application is received and/or updated. After that time, you must update your application through your USAJobs account if you would like to be made active again for possible consideration during the open period. All RNs are required to be competent in the standards of nursing, incorporating evidenced based care. Based on the RN's patient assessment, the RN must be able to initiate care independently based on department standard operating procedures. The RN is expected to communicate timely and effectively with all members of the Interdisciplinary Team as well as relate courteously and appropriately to all internal and external customers. The RN is expected to work in a collaborative, team-oriented environment working as a patient advocate and build strong teams within multiple levels of interdisciplinary staff. Functions of Assigned Duties: Utilizes critical thinking skills and clinical decisional authority, prioritizes patient care by assessing the needs of the patient. Assesses clinical data for neurological, cardiac/vascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and skin and documents findings and reports abnormalities. Incorporates assessment findings into a patient specific treatment plan. Safely provides assessment and care for patients undergoing procedures, and treatments. Provides structure and maintains a therapeutic environment in collaboration with the client and other healthcare providers. Provides health teaching to clients, families, and groups to achieve satisfying and productive patterns of living. Coordinates care with other healthcare providers in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating treatment interventions. Performs medication and immunization administration safely, accurately, and per policy guidelines.- Identifies patients at high risk for harm to self or others related to: mobility issues, disturbed/disruptive behavior, and/or withdrawal complications and provides them with appropriate treatment/follow-up. Assumes responsibility for telecare calls that can be handled by the RN, directing to the provider those calls that must have provider response. Serves as liaison with provider and patient and discusses concerns with the provider and calls the patient back. Reviews lab and test reports and alerts the provider of significant findings and assists the provider with appropriate follow up and treatment. Triages a rapid first assessment and documentation of the patient's condition by , being sensitive to various medical symptoms that are apparent or by comprehensive, compassionate questioning to determine a history of symptoms. This would include type 1 of symptoms, when they first appeared, intensity, any new medications or vitamins, and use of home remedies. Identifies learning needs of the patient/family (diagnosis, medication, surgery, etc ) and implements teaching strategies or provides alternate methods of communication e.g. dry erase boards, picture charts, etc.) to patients with learning difficulties. Understands the legal ethical implications of Patient Self Determination Act, Patient Bill of Rights, Advanced Directives, and Patient Abuse. Serves as a resource for patients, families, and, other staff when ethical issues arise. Abides by and carefully adheres to Medical Center Policies for Ethics and Compliance. Pursues an educational plan (literature review, continuing education, in-service, certification, and formal education) to maintain/improve knowledge in up-to-date evidence-based practice. Actualizes the process of continuous learning to provide for own continuing professional growth. All other duties dictated by patient care. 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: Various Schedules Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: \"EDRP may be authorized for positions with prior approval as hard to fill/recruit\" Contact Jennifer Isbell-Gross, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance, jennifer.isbell-gross@va.gov., the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
