The James A. Haley Veterans Health Administration is actively seeking an energetic, forward-thinking, Registered Nurse (RN) - Implant Coordinator for the Nursing, Perioperative Service. The RN will have surgical knowledge of both biological and non-biological implants and outstanding communication skills to provide programmatic leadership in delivering and improving holistic care to patients through collaborative strategies that span across the campuses of the VA Tampa Healthcare System
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/12746003. 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. Preferred experience: 1 to 2 years Operating Room or Procedural experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The RN Implant Coordinator (IC) is responsible for spearheading the James A Haley Implant Program, including planning, assessing, developing, implementing, and evaluating the Implant Program, coordinating the process of acquiring receiving and storing and issuing biological, and non-biological tissue purchased for use. Duties include but are not limited to: Provides interprofessional educational programs, based on assessed learning needs of staff on the Implant Program. Demonstrates leadership by developing and coordinating programs to improve quality of care and organizational processes relating to acquisition, storage & issuance of tissue. Promotes quality patient care in the Implant and Tissue Program. Keeps current with research to provide evidence-based care and leadership on Implant and Tissue program. Serves as a consultant to the hospital and all disciplines on issues related to the Implant and Tissue Program. Coordinates Implant and Tissue performance improvement activities, consultation, and staff education, using evidenced based articles and information. As a change agent, the IC promotes an environment that embraces new knowledge, innovations, and improvements. The IC acts as a liaison with all procedure areas where biological and non-biological tissue are implanted. Refines data systems to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Serves as liaison with internal and external regulatory agencies for the Implant and Tissue Program. Documents in CPRC/VISTA all tissue implant information and complies with documentation and return of tissue usage information cards requested by source facilities. Responsible for all tissue acquired from a licensed tissue bank and FDA approve vendor, and for recording and storage based on manufacturer recommended temperature and other IFU information. Complies with manufacturer's Information for Use (IFU)/guidelines for tissue preparation. Reviews patient's VISTA/CPRS medical record and electronic log for tracing all tissues from the source facility to all recipients or other final disposition as biohazard waste. Maintains daily records to show that tissues are stored at required temperatures in compliance with the manufacturer's IFU. Ensures that documents relating to source facility, original numeric or alpha numeric and lot identification, expiration dates and all recipients are retained for a minimum of ten years as required by Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations 12.70.35 from the date of distribution, transplantation, disposition or expiration of tissue. Complies with Infection Control guidelines and collaborates with the Infection Control Manager/Program Manager regarding investigation of all recipients adverse events including transmission or other complication/s suspected of being directly related to tissue use. Initiates and competes incident report via Joint Patient Safety Reporting (JPSR) and Adverse Drug Event (ADE) relating to post-transplant infections or adverse events. Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The incumbent must complete annual employee health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards 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: Full time. Monday-Friday, 07:30am-4:00pm, with occasional holidays, nights and weekends as needed Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized