Registered Nurse (Acute Care)

Summary The Durham VA Healthcare System is seeking (1) highly skilled/experienced Registered Nurses to serve within Acute Care. Demonstrates leadership • experience/ingenious approaches to management of complex patient care. Accountable for the management of patient care • human • fiscal/material resources - & the total environment of the unit. Responsible to ensure that the highest possible quality of care is achieved & a safe therapeutic environment. 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/13084105 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 Education: BSN Preferred Certification(s): ANCC Certification in Medical Surgical Nursing Reference: For more information on this qualification standard • please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking • standing • sitting • lifting • carrying • pushing • reaching above shoulder • use of fingers • both hands • both legs & repeated bending Heavy lifting (45 lbs & over) Heavy Carrying (45 lbs & over) Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours) Pushing (up to 4 hours) Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking (up to 8 hours) Standing (up to 8 hours) Repeated bending (up to 8 hours) Both legs required Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters Correctable vision 20/40 in one eye Ability to distinguish basic colors & shades of colors Hearing (aid permitted) The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium • dementia • or psychiatric disorders Emotional & Mental Stability: The incumbent must be a mature • flexible • sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations • able to shift priorities based on patient needs Must complete annual Employee Health requirements • such as annual TB screening/testing • as a condition of employment. Duties Durham VAHCS is recruiting Registered Nurses for its Acute Care Service • which is comprised of four inpatient units serving a diverse Veteran population The service includes two telemetry-capable medical-surgical units • a dedicated dementia/cognitive support unit • and a unit with a dedicated oncology/chemotherapy focus Registered Nurses partner with LPN's and Nursing Assistants to provide patient and family centered care in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of clinicians • who support patients and families in decision-making The interdisciplinary needs of patients and families are met through collaboration with ancillary services to include Pharmacy • Laboratory • Dietary • Social Work • Chaplin • and Radiology Specialty Care and services are available through consultation and are utilized as needed to ensure continuity and progression of care Discharge planning and patient/family education is initiated on admission and continues throughout hospitalization Interdisciplinary treatment and discharge planning is conducted bi-weekly during an organized interdisciplinary treatment and discharge planning conference Duties include • but are not limited to: Provide direct • patient-centered nursing care within an assigned acute care unit • including assessment • care planning • implementation • and evaluation Monitor and interpret telemetry/cardiac rhythms and respond appropriately to changes in patient status (telemetry units) Apply dementia-informed care techniques • de-escalation strategies • and behavioral safety protocols to support Veterans with cognitive impairment (dementia unit) Administer chemotherapy and other antineoplastic agents per competency and monitor for treatment-related complications (oncology unit) Administer medications and treatments • monitor patient response • and adjust the care plan in coordination with the interdisciplinary team Educate Veterans and family members/caregivers on diagnosis • treatment plans • and post-discharge needs Document care accurately and timely in the electronic health record in accordance with VA and Joint Commission standards Participate in unit-based quality improvement initiatives • falls prevention • and purposeful rounding Preferred Experience: A minimum of two years successful nursing practice Current or within last 3 years Medical-surgical nursing experience Demonstrated ability to work effectively with patients • families and other members of the interdisciplinary team Demonstrated skills in decision-making • sound clinical judgment and critical-thinking abilities Demonstrated ability to use computer systems in support of patient care delivery 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: Day • Evening • Night (8 hour and 12 hour shifts) • rotating weekend Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized