Registered Nurse

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT in support of COVID-19 operations. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be December 28, 2020 and applicants will be referred on an 'as needed' basis. NOTE: Announcement will remain open until no longer needed but no later than March 16, 2021.

Responsibilities

Registered Nurses will be assigned to interested facilities throughout the VHA in support of COVID-19 operations and may be permanently or temporarily appointed on an intermittent, part-time or full-time schedule. The Registered Nurse practices in a complex patient care setting in collaboration with interdisciplinary colleagues and the department nurse/unit manager. The primary responsibilities of this Registered Nurse may vary by assignment. Those duties may include but are not limited to:

• Provide population specific and age-specific care for patients from young adulthood to older veterans/groups in the senior years of life.
• Manage a defined but dynamic caseload of patients in collaboration with an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Initiate, plan, implement, evaluate, and appropriately document patient care based on identified measurable outcomes in the applicable assigned patient care environment.
• Anticipate and respond appropriately to emergencies, coordinate interventions, and evaluate responses through critical analysis of patient systems/operational situations.
• Initiate and lead individuals or groups through the educational process to optimize health. Monitor and document all applicable clinical reminders and performance measure outcomes timely and appropriately.
• Use Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) documentation in compliance with designated facility programs.
• Implement the National Patient Safety Goals to support positive outcomes for the patient group.
• May provide direct supervision and be assigned as a preceptor to new or less experienced staff or nursing students.

Work Schedule: A variety of work schedules are available; work schedule will be determined upon selection. NOTE: May be expected to work rotating weekends and holidays.
Pay Schedule: The salary range listed in this announcement is a Base-Line Salary for a full-time work schedule. Starting salary will be set based on locality (which may include a special pay rate depending upon location), as well as FT, PT or Intermittent employment.
Recruitment Incentive: Not Available.
Relocation/PCS Incentive: Not Available
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

None

Requirements Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the hire date.

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.
• 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)
• 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.
• RNs appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).

Note: New graduates will be considered for the position if education and licensure are obtained prior to the hire date

Preferred Experience/Education/Certification:

• BLS/ACLS

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

References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard.

Physical Requirements: The work requires some standing, walking, bending, lifting, and carrying of light items. The work requires agility and dexterity and may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients. In many situations, the duration of the activity (such as most of a workday) contributes to the arduous nature of the job. Duties require extensive periods of standing and walking. Working with patients requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, and similar activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.