Registered Nurse - Community Living Center 1- Dementia Unit

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP eligibility

Education loan repayment

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Community Living Center Registered Nurse (RN) to deliver fundamental, knowledge-based care to Veterans while developing technical skills.

The RN will supervise direct patient care, administer medications, and educate patients and families as part of a comprehensive care plan. The role requires meeting licensure requirements, nursing education standards, and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse license in the U.S. (state or DC).
• Ability to meet VA qualification standards for nursing roles and licensure/certification requirements.
• Eligibility for Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) per VHA policy.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care and supervise nursing activities.
• Administer medications and perform procedures per policies.
• Educate patients and families about care plans and options.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team and participate in rounds.
• Engage in quality improvement activities and governance initiatives.
• Participate in shift rotations, including nights and weekends.

Skills

English proficiency

Nursing leadership

Clinical assessment

Communication with families

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Diploma in Nursing

BSN (preferred)

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/13085795
• 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

• The Community Living Center Registered Nurse (RN) delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to Veterans while developing technical skills
• This RN is responsible for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care
• They are knowledgeable of and supportive of the goal of palliative care programs to prevent and relieve suffering and support the best possible quality of life for patients and their families - regardless of the stage of the disease or the need for other therapies
• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age-specific components - including physical and mental care
• Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines
• Provides care and counseling through systematic data gathering - nursing judgment - and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems
• Educates older adults and families about chronic illness - mental health care - and treatment options
• Assists in the coordination of care among caregivers and influences outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• Participates in quality care improvement activities and unit-based performance improvement initiatives
• Participates with the Shared Decision-Making Team and promotes a Shared Governance environment on the unit
• Participates in rotational charge nurse coverage - including directing team members - making daily staff assignments - mentoring staff - and attending Interdisciplinary Team rounds and huddles
• Seeks documentation guidance from the Minimum Data Set (MDS) Coordinator to ensure accuracy of the Resource Utilization Group (RUG) score
• Engages patients - families - and caregivers to incorporate knowledge - values - and beliefs into care planning without judgment or discrimination
• 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: Night Shift - 6 days 7:30pm - 8:00am - 1 day 11:30pm - 8:00am - with rotating weekends & holidays Compressed/Flexible: Not Available 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 Preferred Experience: 1 to 2 years of Med/Surg experience 1 to 2 years of Dementia experience 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.