The Inpatient Staff Registered Nurse (RN) for Medical/Oncology with Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare Systems is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. This RN assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
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: Minimum of 1-2 years of recent professional (RN) Hematology/Oncology nursing experience 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/12758869. 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: Heavy lifting 45 pounds and over; Heavy carrying 45 pounds and over Straight pulling (1-2 hrs); Pushing (1-2 hrs) Reaching above shoulder (1-2 hrs); Walking (2-4 hrs); Standing (2-6 hrs); Crawling; Kneeling (1-2 hrs); Repeated bending (1-2 hrs) Both legs; Use of fingers; Use of both hands Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Environmental Factors: Outside and inside Working closely with others; working alone; protracted or irregular hours of work
The Medical/Oncology inpatient unit Staff Registered Nurse (RN) is organizationally responsible to the Nurse Manager or designee. The RN is responsible for providing direct patient care primarily to hematology and oncology patients, as well as medical surgical overflow. He/she shall independently perform critical tasks in assessing, initiating, monitoring, and terminating treatment in an inpatient setting. The Medical/Oncology RN is expected to support the VHA's vision, values, mission, and customer service philosophy. It is expected that individuals in this position will follow the hospitals' policies and procedures to provide the highest level of patient care and most superior customer service possible. Duties will include but are not limited to: Responsible for displaying culture of veteran-centric service through values and customer service standards. Develops and maintains effective relationships with internal and external customers through accurate and timely communication Takes initiative and action to resolve customer service issues with all customers in a timely manner and asks for assistance if the problem cannot be solved independently. Provides safe and effective patient care in compliance with company and contracted hospital standards, policies and procedures, as well as regulations set forth by the VHA, state, and federal agencies. Responsible for reporting all new or unusual incidents, information, complaints, or problems to the Nurse Manager. Works effectively with other registered nurses in the HemOnc Clinic along with other members of the health team in the inpatient area and the hospital. Demonstrates skill in implementation of physician orders for patients undergoing treatments in the Inpatient area. Obtains and maintains required chemotherapy certificate. Meets required yearly continuing education requirements. Administers chemotherapy utilizing appropriate techniques and assessment of outcomes including patient education and toxicity management. Able to manage and deliver care for complex patient situations incorporating age specific considerations for the patient requiring chemotherapy/biotherapy or other Hematology/Oncology interventions. Assesses subtle changes in patient's condition during chemotherapy/biotherapy administration that can indicate an impending emergency. Administers appropriate treatments for acute chemotherapy infusion reactions. Implements appropriate treatments for intravenous extravasations. Demonstrate proper use of PPE in handling chemotherapeutic agents and biotherapeutic agents Demonstrates proper documentations on safe chemo administration, monitoring for specific acute drug effects, patient and family education, and other post treatment considerations Practices proper disposal of chemotherapy wastes according to hospital policy. Assesses patients' responses to ordered treatments making appropriate adjustments and modifications to the treatment plan as indicated by the appropriately credentialed physician. Communicates problems or concerns to appropriately credentialed physician, patient hospital primary nurse and others as necessary. Responsible for the implementation, administration, monitoring, and documentation of patient's response to prescribed chemotherapy treatments, blood product transfusions, including appropriate notification of adverse reactions to physician and appropriate blood supplier. Collaborates and communicates with physicians and other staff to interpret, adjust, and coordinate patient care plan to ensure continuity of care. Accurately records all physician orders and treatment information in the individual patient medical record. Reports any significant patient information to the correct team member(s), including the physician. Appropriately and accurately completes any required documentation. All other duties dictated by patient care. 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: Six 12-hour shifts, 7:30am-8:00pm and one 8-hour shift usually 7:30am-4:00pm or 11:30am-8:00pm w/rotating weekends and holidays based on the needs of the service Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.