Registered Nurse - Critical Care

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Jackson, MS is seeking a Registered Nurse - Critical Care to provide evidence-based nursing care to assigned patients and oversee licensed staff as appropriate to the setting.

The role requires graduation from an approved nursing program, active RN licensure in the United States, and adherence to VA qualification standards. Leadership, education coordination, and quality improvement experience are valued assets.

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required for direct patient care per VA standards.
• RN must be graduate of an approved nursing program and licensed in the U.S.
• State license must be active and unrestricted.
• Foreign nursing education requires degree equivalency validation if applicable.
• Awareness of VA Qualification Standards and GNT option guidance.

Responsibilities

• Lead provision of nursing care using the nursing process.
• Coordinate education, orientation, and competency development.
• Guide quality improvement and outcomes utilization initiatives.
• Collaborate with care teams to ensure holistic patient care and safety.
• Mentor staff and support evidence-based practice.

Skills

English proficiency

Leadership

Clinical decision making

Communication

Care coordination

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Registered Nurse (RN) licensure

ACEN/CCNE accreditation knowledge

ACLS/BLS certifications

Job description

Summary

The Registered Nurse - Critical Care is responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants - as appropriate to the setting; assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation; as well as demonstrate leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.

Summary

The Registered Nurse - Critical Care is responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants - as appropriate to the setting; assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation; as well as demonstrate leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.

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/13071195
• 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 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/
• Preferred Experience: Minimum of two years of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nursing experience
• Current ACLS and BLS certifications
• Experience working with ventilators - arterial lines - and telemetry
• Minimum of two years of medical/surgical nursing experience.

Duties

• Duties for this position include - but are not limited to: Leads the provision of nursing care to patients with complex care needs utilizing the nursing process in alignment with the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice
• Applies clinical knowledge/judgment to lead staff involvement in planning - decision-making - and evaluating outcomes within the immediate practice setting
• Effectively functions as a leader - with demonstrated outcomes - for the immediate practice setting
• Improves Veteran/patient driven care by resolving experience issues such as coordination of care - timeliness or process issues - common themes of dissatisfaction - or environment of care concerns for the immediate practice setting
• Applies patient - family - and caregiver knowledge - values - and beliefs into care delivery without judgement or discrimination
• Serves as an advocate for patients - families - and caregivers - improving outcomes for the immediate practice setting
• Serves as a resource for patients - caregivers - and staff to address and resolve ethical issues in the immediate practice setting
• Leads the implementation of high reliability principles and I CARE values to increase consistency of care delivered and improve patient outcomes
• 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
• Leads education initiatives to expand knowledge with improved outcomes in the immediate practice setting
• Participates in the advancement of the profession through mentoring - precepting - and/or teaching
• Applies evidence-based practice/research resulting in improved outcomes in the immediate practice setting
• Assesses the immediate practice setting to identify efficient - cost-effective care delivery
• Leads patient care improvement through monitoring - analyzing - and evaluating care outcomes in the immediate practice setting
• 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: 7:30 AM - 8:00 PM rotating tours with weekends and holidays
• Subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.