Career Center

The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center (OGJVAMC) CRNAs provide a wide range of anesthesia services to Veterans, including the assessment of, consultation for, and preparation of patients for anesthesia and acute pain management as well as the management of homeostasis in the critically ill, injured, or otherwise seriously ill patient. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates. 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. Certification. (1) On and after May 4, 1993, certification by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to non-certified nurse anesthetists employed by VA as a nurse anesthetist prior to May 4, 1993 and continuously thereafter. Any nurse anesthetist who leaves VA employment or vacates the nurse anesthetist occupation for another VA position, must meet the current requirement of certification for re-appointment as a nurse anesthetist. The CCNA and the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists have designated the AANA's web site as a display agent for their information.(2) Nurse Anesthetists will maintain recertification by meeting the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetist's requirements as a condition of employment. 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 CRNA has to be able to carry an 8-10 pound code blue box within the entire facility in order to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and using basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques. The CRNA will be required to take call. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Assessment of, consultation for, and preparation of patients for anesthesia and the management of homeostasis in the critically ill, injured, or otherwise seriously ill patient:(1) Documents pertinent physical examination and medical history, including auscultation of heart and lungs and thorough airway assessment.(2) Interviews the patient, explaining procedures, risk factors, and solicits questions.(3) Writes appropriate pre-anesthesia orders. (a)Defines NPO status. (b) Requests routine necessary diagnostic tests (e.g., EKG, CXR, and blood tests otherwise not ordered. (c) Orders pre-anesthesia medications to include any of the follow drug classes: - Analgesics, including narcotics - Sedative/Hypnotic drugs (e.g., Benzodiazepines) - Antiemetics - Antisialogogues - Blockers and other antacids (4) Discusses patient's assessment and anesthetic plans with attending surgeon. Administers all types of anesthetics/places necessary invasive monitoring lines with supervision by operating surgeon.(1) Types of anesthetics: General Anesthesia Monitored Anesthesia Care IV Regional Anesthesia Regional Neuromuscular Blocks, eg. ankle, scalene, etc. (2) Interoperative management of patients. Completes proper safety check of ALL equipment for all cases. VA Great Lakes Health Care System (VISN 12) November 2021 Oscar G. Johnson VAMC Iron Mountain, Michigan 49801 Performs tracheal intubation, extubating, and provides ventilation consistent with needs of patient. Practices proper and safe positioning of patient. Manages the anesthetic, promptly detects problems, and implements corrective action with timely follow-up communication to the operating surgeon. - Manages fluid, blood, electrolyte and acid-base balance. - Monitors and interprets invasive monitoring information. - Documents all aspects of patient care on the anesthesia record in legible penmanship and/or electronically. - Evaluates patient, manages emergency from anesthesia, recognizes problems, and requests appropriate and timely assistance. Adheres to infection control guidelines set forth by the Infection Control Committee. - Utilizes recommended barrier precautions commensurate with exposure, complying with mandatory standard precautions (e.g., protective eyewear, gloves). - Employs safe recommended practices to prevent needle sticks. Post-anesthesia management of patient. (1) Practices proper and safe transport of patient after recovery. (2) Provides post recovery with thorough documentation of patient's medical history and anesthetic course. (3) Completes post-anesthesia evaluation of patients and plans follow-up if complications are detected. (4) Provides acute post-op pain management of patients with narcotic, NSAIDS, or other agents as indicated. Prescriptive Privileges CRNAs write medication orders on the patient's chart to the extent spelled out in the Medical Staff Bylaws. These are limited to in-house administration and are not to be continued beyond the CRNA's follow-up care of the patient in the PACU and/or ICU. Such orders may include narcotics for pre-medication and for post-operative pain in its acute phase. The countersignature of the operating surgeon on the intraoperative anesthesia record and/or CRPS chart shall serve as the co-signature for all CRNA orders related to the specific administration of anesthesia they accompany. Additional Duties CRNAs are expected to participate in the instruction of staff and students in the manual skills for which they have especial dexterity. The Chief, Surgical Service, may assign such additional responsibilities as may be considered beneficial and contributive to the efficiency VA Great Lakes Health Care System (VISN 12) November 2021 Oscar G. Johnson VAMC Iron Mountain, Michigan 49801 and productivity of the Service. CRNAs may also function as support personnel in the pain clinic and provide pre-surgical screening. 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-4:00pm Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

Return to Search Results