This Registered Nurse - CVS Echocardiology Clinic position is located at the Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. Please learn more about the position below, along with the duties.
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/12736906. 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/. Preferred Experience: -Echo Clinic experience preferred Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, both legs and repeated bending. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours); Pushing (up to 4 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 8 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters; Correctable vision :20/40 in one eye; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders; Emotional and Mental Stability: 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 Echo RNs coordinates all procedures with anesthesia, electrophysiology, PACU, ACE Team, cardiology and various other departments as needed. The Echo RNs ensure all required consults, consents, pre-procedure testing and results are documented in the patient's electronic record. The Echo RNs provide telephone education and provides pre-procedure instructions to all scheduled outpatient procedure patients prior to appointments with thorough documentation. The Echo RNs prepare esophageal intubation supplies and confirms the availability of emergency airway equipment. The Echo RNs assist the physician by administering medications, monitoring, and providing direct patient care throughout the procedures. Emphasis is placed on managing the patient's airway and proper positioning of the patient to minimize risk of aspiration. The Echo RNs insert/access intravenous lines to administer medications and/or moderate sedation for the varied procedures per physician's orders. The Echo RNs monitor the patient's hemodynamic and neurologic status during the procedure and recovery period until the patient has returned to pre-sedation status. The nurses document procedure activities, medication administration. and patient assessment, adhering to VAMC and Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) guidelines. The Echo RNs complete and documents a detailed review of the patient's medical history, performing a patient interview to rule out any contraindications for the examination, and confirming the correct test will be performed on the correct patient. The nurses educate the patients regarding what to expect during the procedure and during the recovery period. The Echo RNs document patients' procedure results, including all pertinent hemodynamic and ECG parameters, any medications administered, and the necessary patient education related to the examination, in compliance with the institutional policies and JCAHO guidelines. The Echo RNs discusses the risks and benefits of using intravenous image enhancers if indicated and ordered by physician and refer any concerns to the provider. Echo RNs assist in the performance bubble studies, TEEs, TTEs, exercise stress tests, and chemical stress tests. If indicated, the nurse communicates hand-off report in SBAR format per facility policy. The nurses verify consents are complete for all procedures, participates in the time out following the "Invasive Procedure Time-Out Checklist" prior to procedures and documents on procedure flowsheets per VAMC policy. Duties include, but are not limited to: -Responsible for timely communication of care between the Echocardiology patients and physicians as well as device interrogations throughout the facility. -Collaborate with all service consulting with Echocardiology. -Administration & Monitoring of Medications. -Cardiac/Telemetry Monitoring is part of this position and can be trained upon hire. -Advanced Vascular Access Care and Maintenance. -(BLS/ACLS) certification is required for this position. -Demonstrates professional communication and conduct. -Recognizes and supports Suicide Prevention initiatives. -Work collaboratively with all levels of health care professional and support staff to facilitate positive patient care outcomes. -Compliance with various Isolation Precautions and Infection Control Guidelines. -Skills in time management, priority setting, assessment and urgent intervention are essential for this unit. -Maintains prevention & management of disruptive behavior skills, can be trained upon hire. -Patient and caregiver education and support. -Participation in High Reliability Organization (HRO) & professional governance initiatives. -Promotes evidence-based best practices and nurse sensitive indicators (including but not limited to Falls Prevention, Hospital Associated Infection Prevention, Medication error prevention, Safe Patient Handling, and Skin Safety) 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 through Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm 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 VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards