Registered Nurse- Ambulatory Surgery

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs seeks an Ambulatory Surgery Registered Nurse (RN) to provide comprehensive perioperative care in ambulatory settings. This role includes patient assessment, consent validation, IV therapy, medication administration, pre-procedure prep, testing coordination, and education for patients and families.

The RN will monitor recovery from anesthesia, ensure ASPAN and VHA directive compliance, and deliver timely, accurate documentation in the

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required with license/registration in nursing.
• Graduate of an approved nursing program (ACEN/CCNE accredited).
• RN licensure in a US state/territory or DC with active status.
• Foreign-educated nurses must have credential evaluation.
• GNT exception allows interim appointment during licensure pursuit.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive nursing assessments for ambulatory surgery patients.
• Coordinate care, education, and discharge planning.
• Validate consents and H&P documentation prior to procedures.
• Administer medications and monitor for anesthesia-related issues.
• Maintain accurate EHR documentation and participate in quality improvement.

Skills

English proficiency

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Nursing licensure (RN) - current, full, active, unrestricted

Foreign nursing education equivalency validation

Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) exception

Job description

Summary

The Ambulatory Surgery Registered Nurse (RN) provides comprehensive perioperative nursing care in ambulatory surgery - including patient assessment - consent and H&P validation - IV therapy - medication administration - pre-procedure preparation - & coordination of required testing. Delivers patient and family education - monitors recovery from anesthesia - ensures compliance with ASPAN standards & VHA directives - and maintains accurate - timely - & complete documentation in the electronic health record.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - 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 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)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• 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
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13104069
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of examination.

Duties

• This is a Temporary not to exceed 1 year - Intermittent work schedule position
• Duties include but are not limited to: Perform comprehensive nursing assessments and oversee all phases of the nursing process for ambulatory surgery patients
• Coordinate patient care across the continuum - emphasizing education - self-management - and patient satisfaction
• Validate consents and History & Physical (H&P) documentation prior to procedures
• Initiate intravenous therapy - perform venipuncture - and assist with peripheral nerve blocks
• Ensure completion and communication of required laboratory work and pre-procedure testing
• Verify surgical sites are properly prepared and marked before procedures
• Administer medications and treatments in accordance with established policies and provider orders
• Provide preoperative education and review discharge instructions with patients and families using verbal and written communication
• Monitor patients during postoperative recovery - assessing consciousness levels and observing for anesthesia-related complications
• Maintain accurate electronic health record documentation - support quality improvement initiatives - promote evidence-based practice - and collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to optimize patient outcomes
• Work Schedule: Intermittent - This is an intermittent position
• Intermittent employment is defined as non-fulltime employment in which employees are appointed without a regularly scheduled tour of duty
• Work is sporadic and unpredictable so that a tour of duty may not be regularly scheduled in advance
• Expected availability for this position is one - 8-hour shift per biweekly pay period
• Additional hours may be scheduled as needed - but typically Monday-Friday 0600-1730
• Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.