Registered Nurse (Infusion)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 50 days/year

Federal retirement plan

Federal health/vision/dental insurance

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Colorado Aurora seeks an Infusion Registered Nurse to deliver high‑quality, evidence‑based care in the infusion clinic for hematology and oncology patients and families.

The nurse applies advanced nursing knowledge, manages infusion therapies, documents in the EHR, and collaborates with a multidisciplinary team while adhering to safety and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Current, full, active RN license in the United States.
• English proficiency required for direct patient care per policy.
• Graduate from an ACEN/CCNE accredited nursing program or approved equivalency.
• Bridge program graduates may become licensed prior to completion.
• State license required for permanent appointment after nursing education.
• Credit for foreign education requires degree evaluation.
• Active licensure in US state/territory or DC.

Responsibilities

• Use a team approach to identify, analyze, and resolve patient care problems with measurable outcomes.
• Complete physiological assessments and document in the EHR per policy.
• Triage patient problems and coordinate with the interdisciplinary team.
• Administer infusion therapies, manage vascular access, and handle hazardous drugs safely.
• Provide education, orientation, competencies, and quality improvement activities.

Skills

Nursing expertise

Oncology infusion care

EHR/documentation

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Registered Nurse license

BSN preferred

Tools

EHR systems

Infusion equipment

Job description

Summary

The Infusion Registered Nurse is a clinical expert who uses advanced specialized knowledge and judgement for delivery of high quality and evidence-based care to infusion clinic patients - hematology and oncology patients - and their families.

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/13067893
• 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: Infusion Clinic/Oncology Experience
• Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy Administration Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The Registered Nurse (RN) must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction
• This position involves considerable standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting and turning
• It requires repositioning patients and assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/stretchers
• Mechanical devices when available are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients
• The work may involve pushing or lifting in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs
• The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care
• The position requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with the neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect him/herself from physically abusive patients
• The RN may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures
• The RN may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The RN must be mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities - based on patient needs.

Duties

• https://youtu.be/EGW4PMZvJto?si=_f7pNchVqoK1KZal Major Duties: Duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to - the following: Use a team approach to identify - analyze - and resolve patient care problems with measurable outcomes Complete physiological assessments and complete documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) in accordance with established policies and procedures Triage patient problems and assist in the evaluation of symptoms and initiate interventions in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team Monitor - track/tend - and report ongoing care needs and outcomes to the interdisciplinary team Direct the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies - and providing quality improvement and outcome utilization Provide a safe working environment while administering - handling - and disposing of hazardous drugs - antineoplastic drugs - and medical waste Oversee the administration and management of various medical procedures and treatments in the infusion setting - including vascular access devices and infusion treatments Conduct in-service education based on insights gained from professional development activities and acquiring specialized skills in oncology-specific areas - including chemotherapy administration - oncology electronic ordering systems - and calculating drug dosages Manage monitoring requirements for specific drugs - handling immediate infusion reactions - and preventing and managing oncology-related symptoms and adverse events - such as chemo-related symptoms and immune-related adverse events Evaluate outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals - groups - and populations Responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level 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: Monday-Friday (Variable) Compressed/Flexible: Available (10-Hour Shifts) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized