Summary

The Durham VA Healthcare System is seeking (1) highly skilled/experienced Registered Nurse to serve within Radiology. Demonstrates leadership - experience/ingenious approaches to management of complex patient care. Accountable for the management of patient care - human - fiscal/material resources - & the total environment of the unit. Responsible to ensure that the highest possible quality of care is achieved & a safe therapeutic environment.

Qualifications

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. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written & spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency & accredited by 1 of the following accrediting bodies at 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 & later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion & 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 - & unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant 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 - & unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess required licensure - may be appointed at entry step of grade & level applicable to completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to 2 years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series & performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education & licensure/certification
• Preferred Experience: Previous Radiology - Cardiovascular Lab and/or Critical Care experience
• Demonstrated abilities in establishment of priorities & time management
• Demonstrated proficiency using the nursing process in providing care for clients with complex care needs - clinical competency & effective practice in emergent situations
• Demonstrated outcomes in working effectively with patients - families & other members of the interdisciplinary team
• Demonstrated skills in decision-making - using sound clinical judgment & critical-thinking
• Demonstrated ability to function independently - good communication skills & to be flexible
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education & Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - & if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements are detailed for each grade & level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12741368
• 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 & technically competent practice providing care to clients w/ basic/complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing & 1 year specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious & deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing & 2 years of professional nursing experience that 1 year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN & 1 year professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) & no additional professional nursing experience
• OR Master's degree in *related field with a BSN & no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering & improving holistic care through collaborative strategies w/others
• BSN with 2 years professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR MSN with 1 year specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN & 1 year specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN w/no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience & creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond immediate practice setting
• MSN & 2 years specialized nursing experience - 1 that is equivalent to Nurse II & meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR Master's degree in *related field with BSN & 2 years of specialized nursing experience - (1) that is equivalent to Nurse II & meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR Doctoral degree in Nursing with & 1 year specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field w/ a BSN & 1 year specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II & meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Preferred Level of Education: BSN ANCC for Cardiovascular Nursing (CVRN-BC)CRN Radiologic Nursing in Imaging - Interventional - & Therapeutic Environments Full performance level of this vacancy is Nurse III
• The actual grade an applicant may be selected for is Nurse I to Nurse III
• 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• This position requires potentially long periods continued walking - standing - sitting - lifting - carrying - pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands - both legs & repeated bending
• Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• & over) Heavy Carrying (45 lbs
• & over) Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours) Pushing (up to 4 hours) Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 8 hours) Standing (up to 8 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 8 hours) Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously
• Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters
• Correctable vision 20/40 in one eye
• Ability to distinguish basic colors & shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• Emotional & Mental Stability: Incumbent must be 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/testing - as condition of employment.

Duties

• The Registered Nurse for Durham Radiology will be responsible for providing direct care for patients undergoing radiology guided procedures
• The RN will develop and coordinate care and utilize quality assurance programs to monitor the delivery of care to the veteran
• The candidate will be responsible for educating patients and family members and serve as an expert resource to the Radiology Department on patient care needs
• The RN will provide care through all phases of diagnostic and interventional procedures - including preparation - sedation and recovery of patients
• The RN will interpret and respond appropriately to physiological readings of any dynamic monitored changes and report them to the provider
• The RN will collaborate with the interventional recovery unit team ensuring continuity of patient care - both pre-procedurally and post-procedurally
• The RN will interpret and respond appropriately to physiological readings of any dynamic monitored changes and report them to the provider
• The RN will collaborate with the interventional recovery unit team ensuring continuity of patient care - both pre-procedurally and post-procedurally
• Duties include but not are not limited to: Monitor and respond appropriately to physiological readings for patients undergoing arteriogram - venogram - hepatic embolization - microwave ablation - central venous access - CT and ultrasound guided biopsies - drain placements - nephrostomy tube placement - and fistulogram
• Monitoring of MRI for veterans with CIED Ability to stand for long period of time during procedures with an extra 10- 15 pounds of a protective lead apron
• Direct care provider for patients undergoing radiology guided procedures
• 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 - 8 hour tours between 7:30am - 6:00pm rotate call 6:00pm - 12:00am Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required