Summary

Provides care through all peri-procedural phases from pre-calls - admission - recovery - & discharge; assists with basic and advanced GI/Pulmonary cases or other specialty procedures. Administers Moderate Sedation & other procedural medications. Responsible for all elements of the nursing process when providing or delegating care. Assesses - plans - implements - documents - & evaluates care based on age-specific components; with interdisciplinary team members towards safe & high-quality care outcomes.

Qualifications

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/12766150
• 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 Characteristics: BSN with 3 years of acute nursing experience
• two years infusion experience required
• 1 year of oncology nursing experience
• *chemotherapy infusion experience strongly desired
• Must be AHA BLS and ACLS certified
• Knowledge of the Oncology patient population and practice operations
• Knowledge of all aspects of infusion therapy in an oncology setting
• Ability to organize - prioritize - and follow through for multiple patient treatments on an ongoing basis
• Excellent blood withdrawal and IV skills
• Knowledge and skill in Central line Catheters
• Preferred OCN Certification - ONS Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy certification
• PICC line certification
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting and Carrying (45 lbs
• and over)
• Straight Pulling - Pushing - Walking - Standing - Kneeling - Repeated bending - Keyboarding - Viewing computer screen (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
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• and Emotional/Mental stability.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Special Procedure Center RN assumes the following duties and responsibilities: Demonstrates flexibility in schedule - tours of duty - & assignments
• Demonstrates proficiency in performing procedures or seeks help when needed - such as phlebotomy - Peripheral IV insertion - 12- lead ECG - blood transfusion - medication administration - infusions - and all other department specific specialized diagnostic treatments and associated direct care interventions
• Provides nursing care to complete preparation for invasive procedures - specialized infusions - and/or treatments
• Assures emergency equipment and supplies are always available
• Confirms availability of implants - specialized equipment - medical devices - instruments - supplies
• Ensures implants & supplies are not expired
• procedural equipment & medical devices are safe and operable for clinical operations
• Removes broken equipment from services and reports defective equipment to supervisor
• Participates/leads pre-procedural Time-Out per policies/procedures
• Demonstrates proficiency in administrating & managing patients where Moderate Sedation is needed/used and demonstrates proficiency in administering Moderate Sedation
• Provides post Moderate Sedation nursing care in the immediate recovery period
• Performs ongoing assessment of patient condition & responses to treatment
• Intervenes timely and appropriately per policies and procedures
• Assesses patients needs - preferences - & readiness to learn
• Modifies teaching approach based on knowledge of human behavior - motivations - & reactions to situations
• Reinforces pre-operative/pre-procedural teaching
• Reviews and provides discharge & educational instructions to patients
• Demonstrates competency in reading & interpreting ECG strips - identifying abnormal & lethal rhythms - & intervening appropriately
• Safely participates in the resuscitation of a patient during a code blue or rapid response situation
• Deploys professional interpersonal skills for effective information exchange and problem solving with all levels of management - staff - consultants - int/ext customers - & outside agencies
• Performs care coordination and case management duties to include scheduling - lab review - medication reconciliation - & interdisciplinary collaboration
• Demonstrates effective analytical and critical thinking skills - with ability to quickly analyze problems - determine appropriate level of intervention - develop - & applies effective solutions - recognizing his/her own scope of practice
• Effectively functions as charge nurse - team leader - preceptor - or in other leadership roles that guides and directs others who provide patient care
• Participates as an engaged member on a formal unit-based or organizational-wide council - committee - or process improvement workgroup/team
• Participates in professional shared governance - unit-based team meetings - continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities - monitors results - and advocates for self and others compliance to regulatory requirements
• Responds to changing priorities and resources with optimism - serves as a positive change agent - encouraging self and others to respond appropriately to cultivate trust and a culture of excellence
• Supports department strategic initiative action planning and implementation
• assists unit-based educational program activities for succession planning
• Participates in training for self and others for continuous professional development activities aligned with VA mission critical goals and objectives
• Participates in completion of initial and ongoing staff competencies
• Provides at least two formal in-services annually to frontline staff
• Demonstrates ability to utilize computer systems and clinical applications in performance of daily duties
• Reads & written communication (e.g. - memos - policies/procedures - etc.) during each tour of duty and/or shift
• Provides constructive and timely self-assessment input for annual performance appraisals
• Practices ergonomics for workplace safety
• Monitors economic use of supplies and equipment
• Member of a nursing service - facility-wide - regional (VISN) - or national committee
• Member of Unit Practice Committee
• Maintains adult critical life sustaining (ACLS) certification
• Performs other duties as assigned
• 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 Compressed/Flexible: N/A Telework: N/A Virtual: This is not a virtual position.