The VA South Texas Health Care System is seeking a Registered Nurse - PACU for the location in San Antonio, TX.
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: 5yr RN experience 2 yr PACU experience 1 yr ICU experience BLS/ACLS current BSN/MSN 1 yr Moderate Sedation/Ambulatory Surgery, Interventional Radiology, Certification CPAN, CAPA, CCRN 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/12761327. 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: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Straight pulling (1 hour); Pushing (1-3 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (4 hours); Standing (2-7 hours); Kneeling (2 hours); Repeated bending (2 hours); Climbing, use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Vision 20/40 DVA, Corrected; Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Sitting (8 hours); Simple grasping (2-4 hours); Fine manipulation (including keyboarding 4-6 hours); Twisting (2 hours); Mental and emotional stability.
Demonstrates attention to detail, utilizes critical thinking skills, initiates confident decisions in a fast-paced clinical environment, and communicates effectively with a multidisciplinary team, applies the nursing process to systems/processes at the unit/work group level to improve care. Responsible to acquire knowledge/skills/abilities to maintain expertise in caring for critically ill patients, participate in educational activities to improve clinical knowledge/enhance role performance. Require interventions for altered states of LOC occurring in post anesthetized patients, monitoring effectiveness of therapies for patient's s/p anesthetic agents and assessing patients requiring continuous hemodynamic monitoring/vasoactive medications. Recognize problems/initiate nursing interventions to manage post-anesthesia, surgical, and medical complications, while utilizing assessment skills to prevent/intervene in life threatening emergencies. Recover phase 1&2 patients from various levels of sedation/anesthesia including airway management, provision of physical/emotional maintenance, and discharge safely, including documentation/communication of patient's status. Responsibilities include all aspects of post-surgical/post anesthesia care which includes/not limited to non-invasive/invasive hemodynamic monitoring; management of pain, N/V, surgical site evaluation for potential bleeding or other pathological indications, professional communication, assessing discharge criteria, and communication with families regarding patient status. Rotate Charge Nurse duties for day/evening shift ensuring equitable staffing assignments, safe patient flow, and communication with the interdisciplinary team for an effective transition from OR to OPS or ward. Provide safe patient transfer based on patient needs, selection of appropriate methods/personnel, provision for emotional needs of the patient, and assistance with patient transfer to/from stretcher/wheelchair/bed. Cross train to OPS and Interventional Radiology and maintain competency to function independently with preop/intraprocedural/postop care to include administration of moderate sedation and monitoring patients with pacemakers in MRI. Maintain competencies for each specialized care unit. 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: Rotating shift, 0730-1600, 0930-1800, 1130-2000 Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Bargaining Unit Status: This position is part of the bargaining unit.