The Critical Care Unit Registered Nurse, is a professional registered nurse (RN) who is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. He/she is accountable for adhering to established policies, standards of care and standards of practice. Currently there is 2 vacancies.
Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), 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 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); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). 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. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12666320. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Straight Pulling, Pushing, Walking, Standing, Repeated bending (8 - 12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands and legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional/Mental stability; Keyboarding and reading computer screen (8-12 hours intermittently over scheduled shift).
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Critical Care Unit Registered Nurse assumes the following roles and responsibilities: 1. Charge Nurse and Preceptor competent. 2. Demonstrate ability to appropriately manage use of the FemStop. 3. Demonstrate ability to transduce pressure lines (Arterial and CVP). 4. Demonstrates ability to appropriately manage patient on Patient Controlled Analgesia. 5. Demonstrates ability to appropriately manage patient on ETCO2. 6. Demonstrates ability to respond as a Code Blue Recorder and Rapid Response Nurse. 7. Demonstrates ability to operate the Zoll R series biphasic defibrillator (Advance Life Support) on a patient. 8. Demonstrate ability to titrate vasoactive drips appropriate for all critical care patients to achieve hemodynamic stability. 9. Demonstrate ability to appropriately manage mechanically ventilated patients. 10.Demonstrate safe and therapeutic care of the patient with epicardial and transvenous pacing. 11.Safely participates in the resuscitation of a patient during a code blue and rapid response situation. 12.Manages the critically ill patients during and after procedures where moderate sedation is needed. 13.Competent in reading and interpreting ECG strips; and identifying abnormal and lethal rhythms. 14.Strong interpersonal skills for effective information exchange and problem solving with all levels of management and staff, consultants, and outside agencies. 15.Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to quickly analyze problems, determine appropriate level of intervention, and develop and apply effective solutions. 16.Demonstrate organizational and project management skills, with the ability to lead a team, prioritize tasks, and see projects through from inception to completion. 17.Participates as a member or assumes a leadership role on formal service level committees, councils, or performance improvement teams. 18.Assesses the patient's learning needs, learning preference, and readiness to learn. Modifies teaching approach based on knowledge of human behavior, motivations, and reactions to situations. 19.Assists the UPC, and the NM in the development, maintenance, and implementation of the Units Score Card, addressing process related to the feedback from All Employee Survey. 20. Proactively makes leadership choices to prioritize Veteran-Centered needs, operate within allocated resources and takes the initiative to find solutions to operational challenges. 21.Maintains knowledge and understanding of The Joint Commission requirements and ensures compliance with VA, TJC, and OSHA standards. 22.The Critical Care Unit Registered Nurse II reports to the Unit Nurse Manager & Assistant Nurse Manager, who is the rating official: and to the Associate Nurse Executive, Inpatient 23.Care Services, who is the approving official. 24.This position requires flexibility in schedule and assignment, as this is a 24/7 facility. 25.Perform other duties as assigned Preferred Experience: BSN; PCCN/CCRN; must have a minimum of two (2+) or more years of M/S/Tele or 1 year of acute adult critical care experience; experience with cardiothoracic patients; experience in balloon pump; CRRT; and experience with CT/heart patients Work Schedule: Monday - Sunday, 12-hour rotating shift, 0700-1930 and 1900-0730. Overtime, Weekends, and Holidays may be required to meet patient care needs. Specific working hours will be discussed during the interview. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required