The registered nurse provides care and counseling of persons or in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process which includes systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling; provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being; and executing medical regimens.
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/12751492. 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/. Preferred Qualifications: BSN with three years SICU experience preferred. Telemetry experience preferred. 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, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.
The primary purpose of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit/Stepdown Unit RN position is to demonstrate leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaboration strategies with others to provide comprehensive nursing care to patients assigned to the assigned unit where conditions are usually of a critical nature. The Surgical Intensive Care Unit/Stepdown Unit RN possesses the clinical foundation on which the cognitive and practical expertise necessary to care for diverse and complex critical care disease processes can be constructed. He/she is proficient in his/her understanding of the basic pathophysiological concepts, treatments, and expected outcomes with the critical care environment. Major Duties include, but are not limited to: Applies the nursing process throughout physiological and psychosocial assessments, which assists in the organizing care interventions related to clinical acuity and needs. Completes initial assessments and reassessments of patient condition and response to treatment. Initiates follow-up as recommended while administering the prescribed therapies using appropriate judgment; evaluation of therapies is pertinent and timely. Demonstrates the highest levels of professional standards and ethical behaviors with respect to interpersonal relations, teamwork, and personal responsibility and compliance with institutional protocols and practices. Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning and can be called upon to response to facility wide code responses (e.g. code blue). Demonstrates and/or verbalizes correct responses to emergencies as well as initiates effective action in emergencies. Demonstrates clinical competence and leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others such as patients, their family members/significant others and members of the interdisciplinary team. Provides care in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner that is sensitive to the adult or elderly patient and family's diversity, preserving their autonomy, dignity and rights. Focuses on problems, initiates referrals to other disciplines and/or services as appropriate. Accurately documents in the medical record patient findings, assessments, and care provided. Effectively functions independently as the Charge Nurse in an assignment managing the care of a group of patients and caregivers. Assigns staff to provide care based on staff competencies and identifies priorities to ensure safe and effective patients care. Demonstrates understanding of infection control precautions appropriate for the patient population. Assumes responsibility/accountability for evaluation of all delegated tasks and is self-directed in the identification of learning needs and development of individual performance plans. All other duties as assigned. The Surgical Intensive Care Unit/Stepdown Unit Nurse considers all characteristics of the individual, including gender and role identification, age, life stage, state of health, race, culture, socio-economic status, values and beliefs in order to assist each patient with the improvement of his/her health status to the maximum potential. He/she utilizes core elements of performance including knowledge and active participation in unit/ service/ program/ VISN level quality improvement processes, such as the customer service program. He/she promotes the medical center mission, vision and values; compiles the Equal Employment Opportunity programs, partnerships, customer service standards and Veterans Affairs policies and procedures. 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: FT, Various shifts, weekends, and holidays. Tour to be determined by Nurse Manager or Supervisor. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorize