The Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department executes position responsibilities that demonstrates leadership, in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The ED RN assumes the following major duties and responsibilities: Leads and organizes delivery of care to assure continuity of care and peer accountability for practice, including access to care and discharge planning. Uses advance clinical knowledge/judgment to promote staff involvement in planning, decision making, and evaluating outcomes. Functions as an expert in clinical practice and/or areas related to the assignment of roles and responsibilities. Systematically evaluates current practice and formulates outcomes for groups of patients and/or organizational processes within an area of expertise. Guides, develops, and supports staff from a leadership perspective. Uses professional standards of care, scientific evidence, and practice to evaluate programs and/or service activities. Participates in orientation, unit-based in-services, and mandatory education activities in a self-directed manner. Evaluates unit performance as measured against The Joint Commission standards and takes action to correct deficits to ensure compliance as part of continued readiness. Supports and encourages others to read and correctly interpret medical center and service-level policies and procedures. Assumes leadership role in identifying policies, procedures, standards, guidelines, and protocols requiring review or revision. Applies and directs others to apply infection control measures appropriately in delivering care. Identifies and analyzes systems problems which effect/impede patient care and initiates their resolution. Provides leadership in coordinating patient care and collaborating with other disciplines/departments to achieve patient care outcome. Performs procedures or seeks help when needed, such as phlebotomy, IV insertion, 12 lead ECG, blood transfusions, urinary catheter insertion and care. Administers medications as ordered by physicians. Performs Point of Care laboratory testing, including glucometer, ISTAT, and urine hCG. Safely and effectively uses equipment required for patient care. Reports equipment in need of repair. Takes and records vital signs. Recognizes subtle abnormal signs and symptoms and/or changes in patients' condition and responds appropriately. Makes assignments and directs activities of other unit staff, (RNs, LVNs/LPNs, students, MSAs, other team members). Formulates a plan of care based on nursing assessments based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice and seeks assistance as needed. Completes initial assessment of patient condition, screenings and response to treatment and initiates follow-up as needed. Triages patients using the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) and initiates established protocols. Provides leadership in establishing goals, evaluating the plan of care, and in discharge planning. Initiates referrals to other disciplines and/or services as appropriate Updates plan of care with assistance as needed. Assesses patient's learning needs, learning preference, and readiness to learn. Develops and implements a plan to meet learning needs, instructing patients and families in basic health teaching and discharge planning. Documents the nursing process. Evaluates and documents patient response to interventions and progress towards attainment of goals and expected outcomes. Revises plan of care according to evaluations of patient responses. Uses the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) or currently used electronic medical record, Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA), Bed Management System (BMS), and the Emergency Department Integrated Software (EDIS) per policy. Assigns patient care responsibilities based upon triage level, patient care needs, and competencies of staff. Functions as charge nurse/team leader in providing direction to staff in meeting patient care needs. Follows-up to ensure that assigned delegated tasks are completed by team members Responds to emergencies as a member of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) and Code Blue Team. Utilizes all available safe patient handling equipment. Transports patients via wheelchair, gurney, and electric emergency vehicle. Performs other Duties as assigned. Preferred Experience: 1 year recent ED or ED/ICU 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: 12 hour shifts, TBD Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
We believe that good health is the cornerstone of progress. We are firm in our resolve to make exemplary health care accessible and affordable to all, dedicated to lowering the high rate of cardiovascular disease, including stroke, in minority populations and committed to advocacy and diversity. We are guided by ethical principles in all transactions and strive for excellence in our training and skills.