This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
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/12855139. 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: Two years of Long-Term Care experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: 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, lifting 10 pounds or more and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. May Occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
Major duties include, but are not limited to: Applies patient, family, and caregiver knowledge, values and beliefs into care without judgement or discrimination. Serves as an advocate for patients, families, and caregivers, improving outcomes for the immediate practice setting. Serves as a resource for patients, caregivers, and staff to address and resolve ethical issues in the immediate practice setting. Leads the implementation of high reliability principles and I CARE values to increase consistency of care delivered and improve patient outcomes. Demonstrates the ability to improve the effectiveness of communications and interactions with others, to inspire their cooperation and confidence to ensure safe and effective outcomes in the current practice setting. Formulates a plan of care based on nursing assessments, using the nursing process, based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice. Completes initial assessment of patient condition and response to treatment and initiates follow-up as needed. Includes the patient and family/significant other in developing the initial plan of care and establishing goals. Updates plan of care with assistance as needed, assesses patient's learning needs, learning preference and readiness to learn. Develops and implements a plan to meet learning needs, instructing patients and families. Aware of high reliability principles to deliver consistent care and improve patient outcomes. Is confident of abilities, effectively initiates solutions and, is alert to new opportunities, techniques, and approaches. Participates in Veterans Health Administration High Reliability Organization (HRO) and I CARE implementation practices and trainings (i.e., Safety Huddles, Clinical Team Training (CTI), and baseline HRO trainings). Identifies and assesses resources (financial, human, delegating, and adjusting assignments and willingly assisting/leading co-workers when needed. Ensures completion of daily documentation including IVs, change in resident status, resident education, falls, daily assessments, monthly education notes, etc., . Revises plan of care according to evaluations of patient's responses and outcomes. Uses appropriate software per policy. Demonstrates grade-appropriate and consistent critical thinking skills. Manages the problem safely and effectively, recognizing scope-of practice, ability to realize sense of urgency. Knowledgeable of family dynamics, psychotherapy, developmental theory and interpersonal relationships and systems approach to clinical care. Maintains knowledge about disease processes, disabilities, medications, and their clinical implications. Serves as a preceptor or field instructor for students and employees in orientation. Utilizes systematic data collection, aggregation, analysis, and reporting techniques to achieve concurrent compliance review of identified quality/patient safety metrics. Analyzes need for changes in policies, procedures, and practice related to patient access, satisfaction, and outcomes, to make recommendations for change. Makes changes whenever possible to ensure adherence to clinical practice guidelines, performance measures, regulations/standards, and plans of care. Demonstrates flexibility by collaborating with all levels of internal and external customers to facilitate improvement within available resources. Ensures completion of Omni-cell count, PRN and Missed Medication reports. Ensures completion of omni-cell count and resolution of any discrepancies at the end of each shift. Ensures Quality Control completed on glucometer. Completes concurrent monitoring on Foley Catheters and Central lines. Que PRNs to print hourly. Maintains confidentiality of assigned access code and by exiting (logging out) from the Automatic Data Processing system when leaving terminal. 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) EDRP: Authorized 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: 12-hour tours including weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Tour of Duty to be determined by Supervisor. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact visn5hredrpcoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.