As a VA professional nurse, your opportunities are endless. The Veterans Health Administration is the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the nation. We also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries. 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). 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: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. 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. All registered nurses with less than 12-months of RN experience upon entry on duty (EOD) date, will complete a 12-month nurse residency program. The RN Transition-to-Practice (RNTTP) Residency Program complies with VHA Directive 1077. See https://www.va.gov/NURSING/workforce/RNTTP.asp for details. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Duties include but not limited to: The Interventional Radiology (IR) nurse will be responsible to circulate, assist, and operate equipment for all the various IR Lab procedures. These procedures include, but are not limited to: Transarterial Chemoembolization, Microwave Ablations, Macroaggregated Albumin, Yttrium 90, Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt, Cryo-ablations, Vertebroplasties, Embolizations, Port Placement, Computed Tomography Angiography, Nuclear Stress Tests, HIDA Scan, Ultrasound Guided Vascular Access, Central Venous Access, Biopsies, Para-/Thoracentesis, Tube/Drain Placements, and Coil Placements. The IR nurse will cross train to Vascular Access, Nuclear Medicine, and Cath/EP Labs. The IR nurse must possess knowledge and skill set for pre-operative and post- anesthesia care. The IR nurse verifies operative procedures, notes abnormalities, previous surgeries, presence of prosthetic devices/implants, notes sensory impairments, and other pertinent data to form an individualized plan. The IR nurse recognizes impending complications and intervenes according to anesthesia protocols, orders, and department policy. The IR nurse teaches pre/post-op patient/family preparation and recovery expectations from the nursing care perspective. The IR nurse demonstrates understanding of the importance of the patient experience as a key component toward quality and patient-centered care. They will deliver care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values. The IR nurse is familiar with post-operative equipment and patient devices, and is able manage post-operative complications from the nursing perspective. The IR nurse demonstrates understanding of principles of oxygen delivery, respiratory physiology, transportation and uptake, and proper use of delivery devices. The IR nurse performs respiratory assessment and can identify signs and symptoms of respiratory distress and hypoxemia and indications for advanced airway support. The IR nurse demonstrates proper suction techniques. The IR nurse identifies ventilator modes, basic operation, and care of ventilated patients. The IR nurse performs respiratory assessment and performs routine/emergent interventions. The IR nurse identifies the characteristics of medications used for pain management including pharmacology, dosage, onset, duration, indications, therapeutic effects, toxicity, and their reversal agents. The IR nurse uses other therapeutic techniques as adjuncts to medication, repositioning, splinting, relaxation, and distraction. Preferred Experience: BSN 2 years prior Interventional Radiology(IR) or Critical Care experience Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases 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: 7:30AM to 4:00PM Monday through Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized 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.
