The Wound & Ostomy RN provides specialized patient care, consultation, and program oversight in the management of patients with abdominal stomas, fistulas, drains, pressure ulcers, wounds, incontinence, and general skin care. The RN carries her/his own defined caseload of patients and participates collaboratively with physicians, nursing staff, and other health care providers to plan, implement and evaluate care and education for patients, families, students, and staff. 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: Wound care certification, Infection control experience, BLS required. 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 visual acuity, keen hearing , clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical impatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be 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 as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Wound & Ostomy RN performs under an expanded scope of practice. Major duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following: Provides advanced assessment and care of inpatients and outpatients with wounds, ostomies, fistulas, drains, pressure ulcers, and incontinence issues and documents treatment plan in CPRS. Orders products/supplies/equipment from prosthetics as appropriate for the care of wound and ostomy patients initially and reviews at least annually. Performs specialized procedures within the approved scope of practice and based on documented competencies. Collaborates with MDs, nurses, and support staff to optimize patient outcomes Provides staff, patient, and family education. Participates in decisions regarding wound, ostomy, and incontinence products utilized by the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System. Makes stoma site selection prior to surgery to optimize functionality and comfort for patient. Recognizes risk areas and initiates preventive measures and new Nurse and hospital protocols to mitigate. Recognize through detailed assessment when to triage appropriate Patients to higher level of care. Serves as a resource for teaching techniques such as intermittent catheterization, bowel training procedures, and management of percutaneous drains/catheters and wound vacs. Provides oversight, audits, and training to foster compliance with VA, IG, and Joint Commission standards for pressure ulcer prevention. Orders VAC devices for in-house via SPD and discharging patients via Prosthetics. Is an active participant on the Interdisciplinary Wound and Pressure Ulcer Committee, Bed Team, and Skin Team. Presents unit-based in-services for staff development, precepts students, and provides formal class lectures at educational institutions. Initiates referrals and or consultations as appropriate including referrals to community agencies. Serves as a resource for ECF and home health agency staff caring for veterans in the community. 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: Monday - Friday 7:30AM to 4:00PM Compressed/Flexible: Yes, available with Supervisor approval Telework: In accordance with VA Policy (Ad Hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Strongly encourage all applicants to submit VA Form 10-2850a with your online application: VA Form 10-2850a - Application for Nurses and Nurse Anesthetists can be found at: About VA Form 10-2850A | Veterans Affairs."]
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.
