Registered Nurse- Critical Care

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is seeking a Critical Care Staff Registered Nurse (RN) to provide high-level nursing care in the ICU setting. The role emphasizes patient transition, education for patients and families, and support for factors influencing patient satisfaction.

The position requires graduation from an accredited nursing program, active licensure, and eligibility for state nursing practice.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency
• Accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of program completion
• State license in good standing upon appointment or eligibility for licensure
• Foreign-educated nurses must meet equivalency validation requirements

Responsibilities

• Delivers and coordinates comprehensive nursing care in the critical care setting
• Ensures patient and family education throughout the continuum of care and discharge planning
• Leads patient care improvement through monitoring and evaluation of outcomes
• Mentors, precepts, and/or teaches nursing staff to improve practice
• Maintains professional development and adheres to VA nursing standards

Skills

English language proficiency

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with BSN

Job description

Summary

The Critical Care Staff Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse's obligation to provide optimal care. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of patient care - patient and family education - patient self-management after discharge - and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction.

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/13059711
• 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
• Preferred Experience: ACLS Required
• ICU/Critical/SICU/Transplant/or Cardiothoracic surgery experience 3-5 years required
• LVAD/ECMO/experience preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over - Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds - Light lifting - under 15 pounds - Heavy carrying - 45 pounds and over - Moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds - Light carrying - under 15 pounds - Straight pulling (1-2 hours) - Pushing (1-2 hours) - Reaching above shoulder - Use of fingers - Both hands required - Walking (4-6 hours) - Standing (4-5 hours) - Kneeling (1-2 hours) - Repeated bending (1-2 hours) - Both legs required - Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - Both eyes required - Depth perception - Ability to distinguish basic colors - Ability to distinguish shades of colors - Hearing (aid may be permitted).

Duties

• Major Duties (To include but not limited to): Responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks ensuring assigned delegated tasks are completed by team members
• Treats all patients - families and other caregivers with dignity and respect incorporating knowledge - values - and beliefs into nursing care delivery without judgement or discrimination
• Serves as a resource for patients - caregivers - and staff to address and resolve ethical issues in the immediate practice setting
• Demonstrates the ability to improve the effectiveness of communications and interactions with others - to inspire their cooperation and confidence to ensure safe and effective outcomes in the current practice setting
• Expands knowledge base and practice evaluation through mentoring - precepting - and/or teaching to improve outcomes in the immediate practice setting
• Leads patient care improvement through monitoring - analyzing - and evaluating care outcomes in the immediate practice setting
• Leads initiatives for expanding best techniques to identify and apply patient preferences to shared care delivery decisions in the immediate practice settings
• 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: 7:30pm-8:00am
• Subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized