Registered Nurse - Community Living Center

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Jefferson Barracks (MO); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP eligible

Six 12-hour shifts per pay period

Federal employee benefits

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Registered Nurse to provide high-quality nursing care to Veterans in a direct patient care setting.

The position emphasizes leadership, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and adherence to evidence-based nursing practices within a structured VA environment.

Qualifications

• English proficiency required by VA policy.
• Graduate of an approved nursing program and licensed.
• State license in good standing and eligibility for licensure.
• EDRP applicant eligibility and state licensure processing.
• Foreign education considered with proper validation.

Responsibilities

• Deliver competent, evidence-based nursing care to residents.
• Collaborate with the care team to ensure quality outcomes.
• Lead nursing education, orientation, and competencies.
• Support care planning and documentation with MDS/clinical teams.

Skills

English proficiency

Clinical nursing

Patient care leadership

Education

Nursing degree (RN)

State nursing license

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & 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 ineligible to apply.

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/13064174
• 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 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
• Physical Requirements: This clinical position includes a level of physicality normally associated with direct patient care duties performed by nurses such as long periods of continued walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• Examples may include but are not limited to: significant amounts of time standing - assisting assigned patients utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols.

Duties

• The Community Living Center (CLC) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to residents with oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants as appropriate to the setting
• The nurse will assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and enhance outcomes utilization
• The nurse demonstrates competence in practice and decision-making - deliberate planning - and critical thinking skills
• The CLC RN collaborates with the Minimum Data Set (MDS) coordinator to ensure documentation is accurate and reflective of the Resource Utilization Group (RUG) score
• The CLC Nurse serves on patient care units caring for Skilled - Rehabilitation - Geriatrics and Hospice Veterans
• Major duties include but are not limited to: Delivers self-directed - professional nursing practice using the nursing process (assessment - diagnosis - outcome identification - planning - implementation - and evaluation) for complex patients based on conscious and deliberate planning with occasional supervision
• Manages the care of patients - while organizing and prioritizing patient care needs - and ensuring assigned tasks are completed
• Applies clinical knowledge/judgment to lead staff involvement in planning - decision-making - and evaluating outcomes within the immediate practice setting
• Provides and directs others in Veteran/patient driven care that optimizes the patient's experience - satisfaction - and/or safety for a team of patients
• Maintains professional boundaries to protect patient vulnerabilities and act in the best interest of the patient
• Role models and displays ethical behavior
• Demonstrates compassion for self and others
• Makes sound decisions under pressure
• Effectively handles multiple demands - anticipates - and resolves conflicts
• Demonstrates knowledge over a wide range of job responsibilities - effectively communicating with individuals and groups to build a strong sense of teamwork and purpose
• Shares knowledge and learning opportunities that enhance current nursing practice for self and others
• Effectively sets group goals and keeps self and team informed of the latest trends and developments
• Inspires the cooperation and confidence of others
• Demonstrates a high level of expertise
• Models effective resource utilization through the delegation of cost-effective care delivery
• Leads patient care improvement through monitoring - analyzing - and evaluating care outcomes in the immediate practice setting
• Preferred Experience: 1-3 years medical/surgical - long term care - skilled - physical rehabilitation or hospice and palliative nursing care experience
• Geriatric - Medical Surgical - Hospice and or Nursing Rehabilitation or related nursing certification is a plus
• 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: Six 12-hour and one 8-hour shift per pay period
• Tours include Days / Nights / Weekends / Holidays - and are subject to change based on the needs of the health care system
• 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 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized