Registered Nurse - Inpatient Staff

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with regular increases

50 days paid time off

Health, vision, dental insurance packages

Traditional federal pension after five years

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a qualified nurse for a position in Birmingham, Alabama. The role requires proficiency in English and a graduate nursing degree. Responsibilities include delivering patient care, assessing individual needs, and coordinating education. Benefits include competitive salary, extensive paid time off, and traditional retirement plans. EDRP eligibility and support for student loan reimbursement are also provided. Virtual and telework options are not available.

Qualifications

• Must have basic written and spoken English for patient care positions.
• Graduated nursing school or enrolled in a master’s program.
• Foreign nurses need current U.S. registration.

Responsibilities

• Deliver knowledge-based care and develop technical skills.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate age-specific care.
• Coordinate patient education and self-management.

Skills

English Language Proficiency

Manual Dexterity

Ability to Shift Priorities

Care Coordination

Technical Knowledge for Patient Care

Education

Graduate of an accredited nursing school

Current, active nursing license

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program awards (up to $200,000) and eligibility periods (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

• English Language Proficiency – basic written and spoken English required per 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) for direct patient care positions.
• Graduate of an accredited nursing school (ACEN or CCNE) or enrolled in a master’s level bridge program with coursework equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. Upon licensing, temporary appointment may be converted to permanent after graduation.
• Foreign nursing graduates must possess a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration from a U.S. state or territory, or equivalent validated through an accepted equivalency evaluation.
• Graduated nurse technician candidates may be appointed at the entry step and later promoted while pursuing licensure.
• Grade determination follows the online assessment criteria: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12948153.
• Physical Requirements:
  • Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, and manual dexterity.
  • Potentially long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing.
  • Transferring patients and objects; the RN may be required to push patients on stretchers.
  • Possible exposure to infected patients, bio‑hazardous material, and contaminated materials; protective clothing may be required.
  • Must be mature, flexible, sensible, and able to shift priorities in stressful situations.
• Grade‑Specific Nurse Level Requirements:
  • Nurse I – Level I: Regular caregiver with an ADN or Diploma in Nursing.
  • Nurse I – Level II: Requires an ADN or Diploma with one year of specialized experience equivalent to Level I or a BSN with no additional experience.
  • Nurse I – Level III: Requires an ADN or Diploma with two years of specialized experience or a BSN with one year of experience, or an MSN or related master’s degree with no experience.
  • Nurse II: Requires a BSN with two years of experience or an MSN with one year of specialized experience.
  • Nurse III: Requires an MSN with two years of specialized experience or an MSN or related master’s degree with a BSN and two years of specialized experience.
  • Doctoral degrees in nursing or related fields are acceptable for advanced levels with no additional experience.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• Accountable to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services and the supervising physician; responsible for assigned rating.
• Deliver fundamental knowledge‑based care and develop technical skills for assigned clients.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care based on age‑specific components.
• Coordinate patient education, self‑management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Lead development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Provide constructive feedback to peers and support colleagues through knowledge sharing.
• Create a safe and supportive environment conducive to professional development.
• Evaluate outcomes of evidence‑based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations; document outcomes at program or service level.
• Work schedule: day, evening, and night tours available; may be required to work weekends and holidays, with schedule changes as needed.
• Telework: Not available. Virtual: Not available.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. EDRP authorized; former EDRP participants ineligible for incentive.
• Contact [e-mail] for EDRP queries or assistance.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular increases and potential performance awards.
• Paid time off: 50 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension after five years vesting; 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care insurance packages.
• Full, unrestricted state license required; work schedule includes day, evening, and night tours.