The Special Procedures Registered Nurse (RN) is accountable for patient outcomes resulting from periprocedural nursing care in outpatients and inpatients undergoing specialized invasive procedures for screening, diagnostics, and treatment for cancer and chronic disease. Incumbent adapts to changes in the daily schedule, demonstrates Veteran-centric focus, critical thinking, and situational awareness, to optimize patient safety and clinical experience.
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/12796125. 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 lbs and over); Straight Pulling, Pushing, Walking, Standing, Repeated bending (8 - 12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands and legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional/Mental stability; Keyboarding and reading computer screen (8-12 hours intermittently over scheduled shift).
Major duties and responsibilities: 1. Demonstrates flexibility in schedule, tours of duty, and assignments, as VA San Diego Healthcare System is a 24/7 VA Medical Center. 2. Demonstrates proficiency in performing procedures or seeks help when needed, such as phlebotomy, Peripheral IV insertion, 12- lead ECG, blood transfusion, medication administration, infusions, and all other department specific specialized diagnostic treatments and associated direct care interventions. 3. Provides nursing care to complete preparation for invasive procedures, specialized infusions, and/or treatments. Assures emergency equipment and supplies are always available. 4. Confirms availability of implants, specialized equipment, medical devices, instruments, supplies. 5. Ensures implants and supplies are not expired and procedural equipment and medical devices are safe and operable for clinical operations. Removes broken equipment from services and reports defective equipment to supervisor. 6. Participates in pre-procedural Time-Out per policies/procedures. 7. Demonstrates proficiency in administering Moderate Sedation. 8. Performs ongoing assessment of patient condition, responses to treatment, and intervenes timely and appropriately per policies and procedures. 9. Provides post Moderate Sedation nursing care in the immediate recovery period. 10. Assesses patients learning needs, preferences, and readiness to learn. Modifies teaching approach based on knowledge of human behavior, motivations, and reactions to situations. 11. Reinforces peri-procedural teaching. Reviews and provides discharge and educational instructions to patients. 12. Demonstrates competency in reading and interpreting ECG strips, identifies abnormal and lethal rhythms, and intervenes appropriately. Safely participates in the resuscitation of a patient during a code blue or rapid response situation. 13. Deploys professional interpersonal skills for effective information exchange and problem solving with all levels of management, staff, consultants, internal/external customers, and outside agencies. 14. Communicates and initiates referrals to other disciplines and/or services as appropriate to optimize patients prior to their scheduled procedures. 15. Performs care coordination and case management duties to include scheduling, lab review, medication reconciliation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. 16. Demonstrates effective analytical and critical thinking skills, with ability to quickly analyze problems, determine appropriate level of intervention, and develop and apply effective solutions, recognizing his/her scope of practice. Effectively functions as charge nurse, team leader, or in other leadership roles that guides and directs others who provide patient care. 17. Participates as an engaged member on a formal unit-based or organizational-wide council, committee, or process improvement workgroup/team. 18. Participates in professional shared governance, unit-based team meetings, continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities, monitors results, and advocates for self and others compliance to regulatory requirements. 19. Responds to changing priorities and resources with optimism, encouraging self and others to respond positively and proactively. 20. Supports department strategic planning and assists unit-based educational program activities. Preferred Experience: Must be a Graduate of a VA approved and accredited school of nursing. BSN with 3 years current/active clinical experience as a registered nurse. Must be AHA BLS & ACLS certified. Must be able to CRITICALLY THINK. Must be able to to read and interpret EKG strips. Preferred certification with the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses Associates (SGNA) and/or Chemotherapy. Preferred clinical experience providing periprocedural care and infusion services in ambulatory setting. Preferred clinical experience in administering moderate sedation. Ability to effectively collaborate with all members of the interdisciplinary team. 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: Variable compressed 10 hour shifts Compressed: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized