Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS) is seeking a Registered Nurse (RN) who will serve as a consultant for inpatient wounds, ostomy and continence needs. He/she will provide timely responses to inpatient consults for patients at multiple levels of care. This role is fulfilled by a specialized RN who has the expertise to do comprehensive skin assessments, recommend appropriate prevention and/or treatment interventions, and ostomy education and 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: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or higher is preferred. Board certification as a Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nurse (WOCN) from a VA approved certifying body or the candidate must be actively pursuing certification in 1 year or demonstrate substantial progress towards and resulting in certification. Four (4) years of recent, successful professional (RN) nursing experience, of which one (1) year of experience is in caring for patients with complex pressure ulcers and wounds is strongly preferred. Strong computer skills with experience in the use of word process, spreadsheet and graphic software. 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/12778623. 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 Work environment: Outside and inside; working closely with others; working alone; protracted or irregular hours of work.
The Wound Care Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants, as appropriate to the setting. Identifies and institutes preventive and treatment measure and monitors results of wound care delivered. Provide colleagues with useful tools to improve wound care knowledge, assessment, and management skills. The Wound Care RN will assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation. Duties may include but are not limited to: Plans and delivers technically competent care to patients in alignment with the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice Consult with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive strategies for patient care and methodology for treatment of wounds. Stage patient wounds to rank wound severity. Recommend current healing modalities and medications used in wound care management. Establishes a therapeutic relationship, allowing the patient to achieve optimal function through assessment and treatment of their health enhancing the patient experience, satisfaction, and/or safety. Treats all patients, families and other caregivers with dignity and respect incorporating knowledge, values, and beliefs into nursing care delivery without judgement or discrimination. Recognizes ethical issues related to professional nursing practice and behaves in an appropriate manner through observance of established policies and ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses. Applies high reliability principles and I CARE values to improve patient outcomes. Performs and documents initial and ongoing assessment of patient needs, issues, resources, care goals, and identifies resources and critical factors for achieving desired outcomes. With the healthcare team and patient, determines/implements care management continuity plan of care addressing desired outcomes for transition of care, post-hospitalization and health maintenance/improvement. The plan will have identifiable goals, objectives, expected outcomes, and specified timeframes. Functions as a systems coordinator for the continuity plan of care, monitors progress through the expected hospital course and intervenes as appropriate to facilitate achieving patient outcomes within anticipated timeframes. Participates in assigned team/service rounds, interdisciplinary team, or huddles. Assesses the patient's learning needs, learning preference, cultural preference, and readiness to learn. Modifies teaching approach based on knowledge of human behavior, motivations, and reactions to situations. Ensures continuity of care from the inpatient to the outpatient setting by assisting with the arrangements for primary care follow-up, outpatient procedures, scheduling of outpatient diagnostics and therapeutic procedures, Ensures consults, forms, DME supply orders are initiated and completed by specified timeframe. Collaborates with other staff (i.e., social workers, physical and occupational therapy, dietitians, specialty clinics staff) to assist in home arrangements and follow-up care, tracking, trending, interpreting patients clinical outcomes receiving case management intervention. Demonstrates evidence of critical thinking skills in identifying, analyzing, and resolving patient care problems for assigned caseload. Lead efforts for facility compliance with VHA Directive 1352 Prevention and Management of Pressure Injuries. Provides education to nursing staff and others related to the specialized needs of patients with pressure ulcers and other skin issues. Perform quarterly Skin Prevalence Studies and internal audits. Will also be a member of the Specialty Bed Program on both the Little Rock and North Little Rock campus with responsibility for coordination of the specialty mattress program. All other duties as assigned, pertaining to this occupation, to meet the needs of the Agency, Department, Facility, and/or Service. 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: Full-Time, Monday- Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm and as needed to meet facility needs. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not available. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.