OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?
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/12747879. 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/.
The Registered Nurse (RN) Reusable Medical Devices Coordinator (RMDC) focus is on individual growth and development in practice with increased levels of self-direction. This nurse brings principles and theory with limited application of critical thinking skills. Responsible for providing clinical knowledge in the processes used for all critical, semi-critical, and non-critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) per manufacturers' instructions for use (IFU) throughout the facility. Responsible for the quality management, reprocessing activities pertaining to training, competency assessment, development of SOPs based on manufacturers' IFU, and aiding in succession planning for all areas of RME. Utilizes their in-depth clinical judgement as they assume responsibility for all functions within the RMD Program ensuring the clinical administrative appropriateness of services delivered. Functions as a liaison between clinical programs and non-clinical services which require the use of RMD (i.e., directives, findings, action plans, changes in manufacturers' IFU, etc.). Disseminates all information to appropriate personnel, serving as an education resource and content expert for RMD using only the latest evidence-based research on which to base their practice. Collaborates with other personnel in assuring that all staff understand the clinical evidence and reasoning regarding changes affecting the RMD Program and establishes a strong partnership with the Infection Prevention (IP) staff. The RMD Coordinator is a clinical consultative resource for all patient care areas to assure that all RMD is properly stored, used, and pre- treated according to clinical guidelines and reprocessed properly according to established scientific principles. This RMD Coordinator will provide oversight of compliance with directives and guidance relating to RMD. Executes leadership in the ability to present, lead, educate, and motivate all levels of nursing and hospital staff, including the executive level, to ensure compliance with RMD directives. Conducts RMD tracers in all areas of the facility that use RMD, facilitates reviews and revisions of all RME SOPs, develops and applies audit tools and other mechanisms to validate compliance with internal and external RMD policies and requirements, monitors adherence to training and competency requirements and related documentation, presents and/or facilitates formal staff education programs and informal training related to RMD compliance, critically reviews local RME SOPs for consistency with manufacturers' guidelines or Veterans Affairs (VA) guidance. The RMD Coordinator is responsible for the implementation and compliance of RMD processes within the recommended practices of various governing organizations, i.e., International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM), Association of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN), Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AMMI), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) directives and VISN policy and procedures. Oversees appropriate reprocessing of RMD to eliminate risk of infection and provide timely safe patient care in all patient care areas. Responsible for continuous quality improvement projects that result in improved services to all users of RMD. Utilizes collaborative strategies while working within and between disciplines. Additional duties as assigned. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Physical Requirements: The population of male and female Veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. 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. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.