The Emergency Department (ED) Registered Nurse (RN) provides urgent and emergent care to patients that present to the emergency department The ED RN will provide triage and nursing care to patients which includes but is not limited to cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes, GI conditions, renal conditions, substance abuse, psychiatric illness, and minor trauma with or without extenuating co-morbidities. 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: Minimum 2 years current ED; Specialized Experience: ACLS required, CEN preferred 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. 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: This position is required to meet the physical standards as outlined on the OF 178 Certificate of Medical Examination. The position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The position requires long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pulling, assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/stretchers, cars, and transporting to other departments. The ED RN may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing/equipment in isolation situations or during day-to-day department functions and procedures. The ED RN must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as screening or testing, as a condition of employment. ["The Registered Nurse is directly responsible to the designated manager in the Emergency Department. The incumbent works closely with physicians and other staff to provide medical treatment and personal care services to all Veterans. Duties include, but not limited to: Identifies patient care requirements by establishing personal rapport with patients and other persons in a position to understand care requirements; obtaining preliminary health history; making physical assessments, recognizing the range of 'normal' and other manifestations of common abnormalities; making appropriate consults to other team members and provides necessary service from assessment. The ED RN assesses, obtains vital signs, starts IV's, obtains and evaluates lab results, performs 12 lead EKG's administers medications, and documents by policy and practice standards (CPRS). The ED RN prioritizes care and organizes the treatment plan from ED admission until disposition. Utilizes protocols to initiate diagnostic tests. Independently initiates consults to Diabetes Clinic, Education, Dietary, Pharmacy, Psychology, Smoking Clinic, and Social Work Service. Manages Triage, Evaluation/Processing and Emergency Department with collaborative support from the physician. Maintains emergency department unit specific competencies (POC testing, ESI, Phlebotomy, EKG recognition, etc.) Maintains working knowledge of EMTALA. Teaches patients by establishing patient care goals; teaching individuals and families to understand condition, medication, and self-care skills, answering questions and by promoting patient independence. Identifies needs for care at home, or alternatives such as outpatient treatment, extended care facility with discharge planner. Implements clinical and technical aspects of care and nursing orders in accordance with established policies and procedures. Intervenes with proper technique, procedure and safety precautions to meet individual needs of patient. Demonstrate ability to prioritize. Utilizes SBAR tool for transitions of care for patients being admitted or transferred. Responds and provides leadership during medical codes and rapid responses. Remain with the patient during emergency support. 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: (Full-time) Scheduled to be determine Compressed/Flexible: Yes Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized (see details below) Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required *Recruitment Incentive: Up to $30k for 3 year service period for highly qualified candidates (internal candidates not authorized)"]
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.
