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. The nurse demonstrates the highest degree of integrity and commitment to upholding professional, clinical and VA standards and practices loyalty to the mission and the SAVAHCS. 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: 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: 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. ["The Resident Assessment Coordinator (RAC) is a professional registered nurse with a broad-based clinical knowledge and application in working with the adult and older adult population. The RAC must have experience in implementation and care of health promotion and prevention, management of acute and chronic illnesses, rehabilitation, dementia, palliative, and hospice nursing. The RAC will have expertise in the area of Long-Term Care (LTC) standards and survey regulations as written in the State Operations Manual. The RAC maintains competent knowledge in the application of the RAI-MDS process in accordance with the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). RESPONSIBILITIES- Coordinates, develops, maintains, and completes the MDS/RAI (Minimum Data Set/Resident Assessment Instrument) process for residents. Ensures compliance with State and Federal guidelines regarding MDS assessments. Completes Nursing and Care Area Assessments (CAA) summaries as indicated by the type of assessment required. Enters information into computerized ADL program. Responsible for certifying and completion of the MDS and identification of the care plan revision. Responsible for setting the RUG levels for each resident and ensuring the facility is getting accurate maximum, reimbursement. Care payment level categories, or Resource Utilization Groups (RUGs) are determined by MDS assessments. Responds to resident's change of condition or potential change in condition by monitoring a resident's physical and psychosocial state. Upon review of the data, advise the IDT team whether a change of condition in MDS in warranted, per protocol. Coordinates, conducts, and leads in the multi-disciplinary team meetings. Tracks residents who are due for MDS review. The RAC is a self-directed, quality specialist professional nurse with a broad-based clinical knowledge. Attention to detail is required. Incumbent must be able to relate professionally, positively, and cooperatively with staff, residents and family members. Is a skilled clinician and functions as a subject matter expert for regulatory and clinical compliance. Work Schedule: 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM 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"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
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.
