This position is for an Endoscopy Registered Nurse (RN) for the Specialty Care department located at the University Drive campus in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. The Endoscopy RN has fundamental specialty care experience with situations they are expected to perform, integrating theoretical concepts, critical thinking skills, and skilled practice. The RN may function in several roles including, pre-procedure assessments, post procedural recovery, and assisting physicians in procedures.
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/12801305. 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 up to (35 pounds); heavy carrying up to (35 pounds); straight pulling (2-4 hours); pushing (2-4 hours); reaching above shoulders (1-2 hours); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (4-6 hours); standing (4-6 hours); repeated bending (2-4 hours); both 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; ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of color; hear (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability.
The Endoscopy Registered Nurse (RN) demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills, and technically competent practice while providing care to clients. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction. Administers medications and procedures per established policies/guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. The RN is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based procedural care to assigned patients with oversight of LPN or NA's as appropriate. This nurse provides patient care, coordination, health promotion and education and coaching on wellness, disease prevention, and chronic care management. They deliver and manage the care of patients undergoing therapeutic and diagnostic endoscopy procedures including inpatients and outpatients. Assesses the patients physical/mental status prior to procedures, educates on procedural/post-procedural care, and documents responses to interventions, findings, and reports changes. Partners with the patient, family, and interdisciplinary team to promote effective/safe transitions across the health care continuum, including the Veteran's goals of care. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 1. Responsible for the direct care of the patient, to include the administration and monitoring of patients receiving moderate sedation. 2. Administers medications. 3. Learns and supports new procedures and devices as approved by the Chief Gastroenterologist 4. Participates in research/quality improvement initiatives, Professional Practice Council, and in the department's on-call rotation to ensure timely response to emergencies/urgent procedures 7. Complete pre-procedure assessments, post procedural recovery, and assist physicians during procedures. The RN will maintain proficiency in the maintenance, cleaning, and preparation of endoscopy specific equipment. Will recognize changes in patient care situations and initiate appropriate emergency situations. 8. Assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of both direct/indirect nursing care, and identification of outcomes for patients in the gastroenterology setting. 9. Coordinating patient care delivery to ensure the highest quality of care is achieved according to established standards of care/practice, policy, and procedure. 11. Performing and documenting (and/or reviewing) required nursing assessment of each patient prior to procedures to determine patient's baseline level of health and any special consideration specific to patients undergoing minimally invasive procedures and/or moderate sedation or anesthesia. 12. Assisting in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures; performing/documenting continuous patient assessment during and after procedures, universal protocol, patient's tolerance of the procedure, course of recovery and status at time of discharge. 13. Setting up appropriate equipment properly and testing prior to the procedure; includes troubleshooting, maintaining responsibility for the storage, proper cleaning techniques, and use of reusable medical equipment (RME); maintaining proper functioning of all endoscopic equipment through accurate care, cleaning, and disinfection/sterilization per VA policy. 14. Performing designated non-endoscopic diagnostic procedures with minimal or no supervision to include but not limited to breath test, pH monitoring/mobility and capsule endoscopy. 15. Processing diagnostic specimens obtained during endoscopic/non-endoscopic procedures, accurately completing, or verifying necessary documentation, and assuring delivery to appropriate testing area per VA policy. Preferred Experience: GI Lab experience preferred, prior hands on experience assisting in GI procedures and scope reprocessing. Previous work in critical care or PACU, moderate sedation and hemodynamic monitoring. Ability to provide clear patient education. Experience working in a multidisciplinary team environment 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: Monday - Friday 630am-3pm, or 7am-330pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized