Registered Nurse- Community Living Center

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Erie VAMC is seeking a Registered Nurse for the CLC Alpha unit to provide high-quality, evidence-based nursing care using the full nursing process. The role advances from foundational practice to leadership, delegation, and quality improvement within a patient-centered, Veteran-focused environment.

As part of the VA system, you will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team, participate in education and discharge planning, and uphold safety and privacy standards in a 24/7 care setting.

Qualifications

• Must be a graduate of an approved nursing program with active US state licensure.
• English language proficiency required for direct patient care.
• Licensure/certification requirements per VA Handbook and state boards.
• Foreign education evaluated for equivalency when applicable.
• Current, full, active, unrestricted US nursing license.

Responsibilities

• Provide safe, evidence-based nursing care using the full nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation).
• Coordinate patient care across the continuum with education, discharge planning, and follow-up.
• Administer medications and perform procedures per established policies and guidelines.
• Influence and improve patient outcomes through collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.
• Provide patient-centered, culturally sensitive care honoring Veteran values, safety principles, and HRO/I CARE standards.
• Participate in quality improvement and evidence-based practice initiatives; lead as appropriate.
• Delegate and oversee work of LPNs/LVNs and Nursing Assistants, depending on grade.
• Mentor or lead within the unit to support team development and operations.

Skills

English Language Proficiency

Leadership

Collaboration

Education

ADN or Diploma in Nursing

BSN

MSN or related Master’s with BSN

Job description

Summary

Registered Nurses at Erie VAMC's CLC Alpha provide high-quality - evidence-based care - supporting Veteran health and safety. Roles progress from foundational practice to advanced leadership - delegation - and quality improvement. RNs uphold VA values - ensure ethical care - and contribute to a collaborative - patient-centered environment.

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/13083555
• 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/.

Duties

• As a Registered Nurse in CLC Alpha at Erie VAMC - you will: Provide safe - evidence-based nursing care using the full nursing process - including assessment - diagnosis - planning - implementation - and evaluation
• Coordinate patient care across the continuum - ensuring effective transitions - education - discharge planning - and follow-up
• Administer medications and perform procedures in accordance with established policies and guidelines
• Influence and improve patient outcomes through effective collaboration with interdisciplinary team members
• Provide patient-centered - culturally sensitive care that incorporates Veteran values - preferences - and safety principles - including High Reliability Organization (HRO) and I CARE values
• Participate in and/or lead quality improvement - evidence-based practice - and shared governance initiatives appropriate to grade level
• Delegate and oversee work of LPNs - LVNs - and Nursing Assistants (varies by grade) - ensuring safe and effective care delivery
• Serve as a resource - mentor - preceptor - or leader (charge nurse or higher) - depending on grade level - supporting team development and unit operations
• Maintain compliance with all VA privacy - information security - and regulatory policies - including the Privacy Act of 1974
• Demonstrate flexibility in scheduling within a 24/7 care environment and uphold VA customer service standards with Veterans - families - and staff
• 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: Rotating tours including weekends and holidays
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more
• Position(s) listed under this Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) MAY be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program
• Applicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer
• The selectee must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment
• Program approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) - and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application
• Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.