The Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse is a professional nurse who manages the care of the most critically ill patients in our hospital. The patient population is a mix of medical and surgical with a large number of cardiac and heart failure patients. The Registered Nurse must excel in critical thinking, problem solving, organization, collaboration and teamwork, and communication.
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/12804312. 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/. Preferred Experience: 2-4 years of ICU experience in a CVICU, SICU, or MICU; Familiarity with devices such as IABP, impella, CRRT, VADs and ventilators Physical Requirements: The Registered Nurse must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting and turning. It requires repositioning patients and assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/stretchers. Mechanical devices when available are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care. The position requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with the neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect him/herself from physically abusive patients.
Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurses must maintain a large skill set to care for all patients, including high risk and low volume scenarios as well as staying proficient in managing high risk patients to include hemodynamically unstable patients, neuro patients, and equipment such as cardiac support devices, CRRT, and ventilators. The Registered Nurse will function as a member of a multi-disciplinary care team including physicians, pharmacists, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists. ICU Nurses provide whole patient care, meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of their patients and are a resource throughout the hospital that can care for any patient admitted. The Intensive Care Unit encourages it's staff to continuously learn through on-going education, professional organizations, and advanced certifications such as PCRN and CCRN. MAJOR DUTIES: Cover after hours recoveries and procedures, assist in difficult IV placement and feeding tube placement on all units across the hospital Respond to codes as ACLS providers and provide support and education to other units who are less proficient with unstable patients Support a culture of learning and growth through education, participation in unit or hospital committees, and provide opportunities to participate in QI projects Complete admission assessment on assigned patients within 24 hours of admission Conduct reassessments on patients every 4 hours and as needed to determine rapidly changing conditions Transcribe provider's orders using CPRS, check orders in CPRS at minimum of every 2 hours Take verbal and telephone orders per policy Complete patient care plans according to policy Document vital signs and assessments according to SOP using CPRS and/or Essentris Document medications using BCMA (Bar Code Medication Administration) Plan for discharge/transfer of patients including completion of discharge/transfer notes in Essentris/CPRS Function independently when performing care for complex patients in the ICU Initiate referrals and/or consults as appropriate to achieve interdisciplinary care of patients Identify crucial assessment changes in patient status and appropriately communicate these changes to providers and the care team Respond appropriately to emergent situations following ACLS guidelines Safely perform moderate sedation, and out of OR recoveries per policy Provide individual, complex patient care consistent with managing critically ill medical and surgical patients consistent with identified diagnosis and standards and scope of practice, which may include but is not limited to: Cardiac Monitoring Hemodynamic Monitoring Administration and titration of high risk cardiac and/or vasoactive medications Ventilators, CPAP, BIPAP, and HF nasal cannula Advanced cardiac devices (IABP, Impella, BIVAD, and LVAD's) Advanced renal replacement therapy (CRRT) Advanced neurologic devices (Lumbar drain, EVD, bolts) Post-op management for cardiac, vascular, neuro, urology, general surgery, ortho, and ENT patients (not an all-inclusive list) Cardiogenic, hypovolemic, neurogenic, and/or septic shock Demonstrate ability to manage daily routine operations related to patient care (delegating, supervising, trouble shooting, and evaluating) Participate in clinical supervision of nursing students and new hires through role modeling and communication objectives and expected competencies of orientees and students 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 (Nights, Weekends, and Holidays) Compressed/Flexible: Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized https://youtu.be/LM35k1p_3Tc?si=6wdZw0Lag331XBMR