This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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 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. Preferred Experience: 1 year experience in Long Term Care 1 year experience in Acute Care 1 year experience in Rehab/Hospice 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: The position requires compliance with VA Handbook and VANTHCS Policy related to physical requirements. Moderate Lifting of 15-44 pounds, Light lifting under 15 pounds, Moderate carrying of 15-44 pounds, Light carrying under 15 pounds, Straight pulling for 1 hour, Pushing for 1-3 hours, Reaching above should, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking 4 hours, Standing for 2-7 hours, Kneeling for 2 hours, Repeated bending for 2 hours, Climbing and use of both legs and arms, Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, Specific visual requirements 20/40 DVA; corrected. Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted), Sitting for 8 hours, Simple grasping for 2-4 hours, Fine manipulation (including keyboarding for 4-6 hours) Twisting for 2 hours, Mental and emotional stability. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Community Living Center (CLC) Registered Nurse (RN) functions as a team leader in providing for the nursing care of resident Veterans. The RN uses the nursing process to assess the needs of residents and then provides direction to the LPNs, NAs and other staff as appropriate to ensure care is provided. Some common duties of the position include, but are not limited to: Provides clinical oversight of nursing care provided on the unit and is knowledgeable of regulations, VHA guidelines, unit specific policies and LTC guidelines. May function as Charge nurse, assigning staff to care for residents, ensuring adequate staffing in terms of breaks and appointments. Provides medication administration using the Bar-code Medication Administration module (BCMA). Provides case management for resident Veterans to ensure that all care needs are met and that the care provided is coordinated with the multidisciplinary team. Documents care provided in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) in a professional manner that is consistent with policies set forth by the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System. Collaborates with multidisciplinary team to provide interventions tailored to each resident's needs to improve engagement, optimize function, and decrease distress. 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: 8 hour tours with some days, nights, weekends and holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.