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Summary

Inpatient Surgery Acute Care Unit (2F) staff nurse reports to the unit nurse manager. 2F provides comprehensive - coordinated - patient centered care to the perioperative patient 24 hours a day/7 day a week.

Qualifications

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/12791385
• 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: At least 2 years recent Acute inpatient surgery experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - and sitting - lifting - carrying - pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands - both legs and repeated bending
• Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• Heavy Carrying (45 lbs
• and 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 and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters
• Correctable vision :20/40 in one eye
• Ability to distinguish basic colors and 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 and Mental Stability: 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.

Duties

• This thirty-bed unit provides telemetry monitored individualized care to the preoperative and post-operative surgical patient population
• It can include pre-operative/procedural and post-operative/procedural care - psychological monitoring - administration of medications to include IV therapy - pain management - discharge planning and discharge teaching
• We service about 13 different specialties to include Cardiothoracic surgery - Vascular Surgery - Neurosurgery - Bariatric Surgery
• List of responsibilities / duties of the position include - but may not be limited to the below: The average age of the patient population is 60-90 years old
• the average BMI is 25 or greater
• The complexity of patient care is patient specific and directly related to high patient acuity
• Other duties include but not limited to: Collects current symptoms - as well as a detailed patient history and then consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess - plan - implement and evaluate patient care plans
• Performs triage - while considering both physical and psychosocial elements
• Manages basic life support needs and stabilizes patients until the attending physician is available - based upon nursing standards and protocol
• Initiates corrective action whenever information from monitoring equipment shows adverse symptomatology
• Records patients' current vital signs ¿ Works directly under physicians - assisting them during exams - diagnostic testing - and treatments
• Prepares and administers (orally - subcutaneously - through an IV) and records prescribed medications
• Reports adverse reactions to medications or treatments in accordance with the policy regarding the administration of medications by a licensed registered nurse
• Maintains proper supplies and appropriate medical equipment to care for patients
• Initiates patient education plan - as prescribed by physician
• Teaches patients and significant others how to manage their illness/injury - by explaining: post-treatment home care needs - diet/nutrition/exercise programs - self-administration of medication and rehabilitation - as well as provides referrals to other healthcare professionals for follow-up treatment
• Displays professionalism while completing multiple urgent tasks in a timely manner
• Records all care information concisely - accurately - and completely - in a timely manner - in the appropriate format and on the appropriate forms
• 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: Day - Evening Rotation Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized