The incumbent is accountable to the Nurse Manager of the Acute Care service line located at EKHCS Leavenworth VA Campus, Leavenworth, Kansas. The Acute Care service line consists of a combined Intensive Care/Progressive Care Unit and a Medical Surgical Unit. The incumbent will be expected to provide critical coverage to other nursing departments (i.e., Emergency Department, COVID Supportive Operations, Community Living Center, Domiciliary) during staffing shortages or low unit census. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements at the time of review. If an applicant is found not qualified based on the requirements below they will need to reapply to be considered. 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. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-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). 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. Preferred Experience: Two years of recent nursing experience within a Critical Care environment. Candidates with Critical Care experience will be required to successfully complete Critical Care orientation which includes knowledge testes and preceptorship. Specialty/Sub-specialty certification preferred (CCRN, CMC, PCCN). OR Two years of recent nursing experience in acute inpatient medical surgical setting with specialty certification preferred. OR Two years of Emergency Department or ICU experience. BCEN, TNCC, ACLS, BLS & PALS certifications preferred. OR BSN Degree. 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. Preferred Experience: The preferred candidate will have at least two (2) years of recent nursing experience in critical care/progressive care inpatient setting with specialty certification preferred (CCRN, PCCN, RN-BC). Physical Requirements: The physical requirements for this position in accordance with HRML No. 05-12-02 , Employment of People with Disabilities, Including Under Schedule A, 5 CFR 213.3102(u). Heavy Lifting (35 pounds and over); Heavy Carrying (35 pounds and over); Straight pulling and/or Pushing (up to 6-8 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both Hands required; Walking (up to 6-8 hours); Standing (up to 4 hours); Sitting (up to 1 hour); Kneeling; Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Both legs required. Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; Hearing (aid permitted); Ability to hear whispered voice. Emotional stability. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. ["Assignment may be to any of the above-mentioned units depending on current staffing needs of the service line. This is a bargaining unit position. The primary responsibilities of this Registered Nurse may vary by assignment. Those duties may include but not limited to: Provide care that incorporates the age, gender, cultural and learning needs of patients requiring complex planning and evaluation of care. Provides direct and indirect nursing care to critically ill patients by assessing patient status, determining priorities, identifying nursing needs and therapeutic objectives, and evaluating outcomes. The position requires independent judgment and nursing actions, flexibility, organizational skills, and the ability to utilize an interdisciplinary approach in the provision of professional nursing care. Provide prescribed medical treatment and personal care services to ill and injured veterans. Manage a defined but dynamic caseload of patients in collaboration with an interdisciplinary healthcare team. Documenting observations, assessments, and changes in patient's condition. Collaborating with health team members to facilitate positive patient care outcomes. Providing a full range of nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavior problems. Accountable for meeting and maintaining the qualification standards and functional statements of assigned grade. Demonstrate leadership in providing a safe and supportive environment for patients, staff and others. Apply and direct others to apply infection control measures appropriately in delivering care. Identify potential problems involving resources and/or safety and take action to ensure patient safety and a therapeutic environment. Demonstrate all mandatory organizational and clinical competencies of the position. To include competency in telemetry, 12 lead EKG interpretation, calculation and titration of critical care IV medications, moderate sedation, EtCO2 monitoring, Code management, ACLS/BLS, ACS, STEMI/NSTEMI, Stroke management, common ED orthopedic splinting, and C-Spine precautions. Will be expected to provide nursing coverage to other nursing departments (ie. Emergency Department, COVID Supportive Operations, Medical Surgical Unit, Community Life Center, Domiciliary) during staffing shortages or periods of low unit census. Assignment may be to any of the above-mentioned units depending on current staffing needs of the service line. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Intermittent Critical Care position with rotation to days and nights, weekends and holidays. Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.
