Summary

This Registered Nurse (RN) position is part of the Surgery Integrated Clinical Community (ICC) within the Outpatient Surgery Clinics. The Outpatient Surgery Clinic RN provides direct - patient-centered care to veterans experiencing a range of acute and chronic health conditions - with a focus on those undergoing minor procedures and/or surgical interventions - including pre-operative and post-operative management.

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
• Preferred Experience: Bachelor of Science in Nursing with 2-3 years of recent nursing experience Experience in procedural care or surgery - specialty clinics - and inpatient med-surg nursing Board Certification from VA-approved certifying body is recommended 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/12920674
• 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of examination.

Duties

• The RN plays a key role in delivering a full range of coordinated care through patient assessments - interventions - education - coordination - home care planning - follow-up - and complication prevention - utilizing state-of-the-art technologies and best practices
• The Outpatient Surgery Clinics span multiple floors of the medical center and support a wide range of specialties - including but not limited to: Anesthesia - Audiology - Cardiac Surgery - Colon and Rectal - Dental - Dermatology - ENT - Eye - General Surgery - Orthopedics - Plastics - Podiatry - Radiation Oncology - Surgical Oncology - Thoracic Surgery - Urology - Vascular - and Wound
• Cross-training is a required part of this role
• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Triages patients effectively through phone triage - secure messaging - walk-ins - and scheduled visits - applying the Standing Orders policy
• Collaborates with internal and external teams to identify - analyze - address - and resolve patient concerns in a timely and efficient manner
• Works across all assigned outpatient surgery clinics and specialties - adapting to various clinic environments - patient care needs - and skill requirements to ensure seamless - high-quality - and patient-centered care for veterans
• Provides direct patient care in clinic and procedural settings - supporting minor procedures - nursing interventions and treatments - wound care - and post-surgical follow-ups
• Works in partnership with surgery clinic providers - patients - families - social workers - surgery coordinators - physical and occupational therapists - medical support assistants - residents - and all levels of healthcare professionals to manage and support patients
• Collaborates with services and staff both internal and external to the VA to coordinate patient care - facilitate transitions - track completion of necessary treatments and testing - and exchange documentation to ensure continuity of care - support - and management of specialty patients
• Supports and directs LPNs as appropriate - ensuring tasks are delegated effectively and care is provided within the appropriate scope of practice
• Communicates and reinforces follow-up plans and test results - ensuring patients understand next steps - post-visit instructions - and ongoing care needs
• Facilitates Homecare and Community referrals and makes recommendations to support ongoing veteran needs
• Provides individualized patient - caregiver - and family health education and support - with a focus on self­-management - prevention - and wellness aligned with patient goals
• Coaches and mentors new and existing staff - assisting in clinical skill development and professional growth
• Administers medications and monitors for responses and adverse reactions
• 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 - Days (Shifts typically in the range of 0700-1800) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.