The registered nurse provides care and counseling of persons or the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process, including systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses. The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses).
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.) HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements. Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment. 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/12828922. 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. Preferred Experience: Expertise in The Joint Commission, VA, VHA, VISN, OIG, and other external reviews. Manages the survey reporting process through various stages of review and approval. Review preliminary survey results for accuracy and completeness, review and respond to comments on the preliminary results, and facilitate the survey reporting process. Has a broad knowledge of VA regulations, TJC, and other applicable federal and investigatory requirements. Determines compliance with, develops, revises, and evaluates all policies and procedures with accreditation program implications. Knowledge in process improvement. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35·pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently, moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care, pulling for 8 to 12 hours intermittently, pushing for 8-12 hours, intermittently, reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both hands required, walking 8-12 hours, intermittently, standing 8-12 hours intermittently, kneeling 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, repeated bending for 8-12 hours, intermittently, climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both legs required, near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing aid permitted, twisting, simple grasp and fine manipulation.
The Accreditation Quality Nurse demonstrates effective administration of substantive functions that include, but is not limited to, clinical screening, data compilation, documentation and entry into a database, comprehensive identification and reporting of all quality monitoring, establishment of work groups to accomplish tasks, VISN and National collaboration toward common goals, and the maintenance of confidentiality that meets and/or exceeds all standards outlined in regulation and law. Include but not limited to: Provides oversight, expert leadership, and ongoing consultative services toward organizational continuous survey readiness for the following accrediting and regulatory agencies, to include but not limited to TJC, VA, VHA, VISN, OIG, and other external reviews. Provides leadership in the aspects of assessment, measurement, and process improvements to quality, safety and value of patient care and organizational functions. Assists Chief of Quality Patient Safety in the development of a systematic approach to assessing and improving organizational performance, central coordination of policy development and review, formulation, communication, implementation, and evaluation of the accreditation processes. Manages the survey reporting process through various stages of review and approval. Review preliminary survey results for accuracy and completeness, review and respond to comments on the preliminary results, and facilitate the survey reporting process. Determines compliance with, develops, revises, and evaluates all policies and procedures with accreditation program implications. Applies the nursing process to systems or processes at the unit/team/work group/organizational level to improve care and ensure compliance to regulatory standards and performance measures. Explores the environment for best practices and works to implement them by involving staff in seeking to constantly improve processes and outcomes. Supports the organization by serving on using professional standards, relevant statutes, and regulations, and takes action to improve performance. Acquires and maintains current knowledge relevant to the principles, practices, and techniques associated with nursing, compliance, process improvement, risk management, and quality improvement practices through literature and periodical review, workshop attendance, and/or other use of sound benchmark practices. Educates colleagues or students either in formal in-services or informally as a resource or consultant related to accreditation, tracer methodology, patient safety, national patient safety goals, patient care, risk management, external peer review, performance measures, quality review and quality management. Takes leadership role in identifying potential problems involving resources and quality and takes effective action to avert or manage the situation in a manner that meets the needs of patients and the overall mission of the health care system. 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: Monday-Friday; 0800-1445 Telework: Available Ad Hoc Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized