Registered Nurse - Operating Room

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Educational Debt Reduction Program

Paid Time Off

Federal health insurance options

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Registered Nurse to join their team at the American Lake VA Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. This position involves performing various tasks in the operating room, ensuring high standards of patient care and safety during surgical procedures.

The ideal candidate should be a graduate of an accredited professional nursing program, possess a current nursing registration, and ideally have experience in the peri-operative field. A comprehensive benefits package and a competitive salary are offered.

Qualifications

• Proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduate from an accredited nursing school.
• Current, full, active and unrestricted nursing registration.

Responsibilities

• Perform duties in the operating room at the American Lake VA Medical Center.
• Accountable for patient outcomes during surgical procedures.
• Maintain sterility of the surgical field.

Skills

English Language Proficiency

Experience in peri-operative nursing

Education

Graduate of an accredited nursing program

Current registration as a nurse

Tools

Medical equipment

Job description

Summary

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for EDRP – a student loan payment reimbursement program. See "Duties" below for more information. This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted in an ongoing manner and qualified candidates will be considered on a rolling basis until all vacancies have been filled. The announcement may be closed at any time after the initial open period once all vacancies have been filled.

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 a 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 than 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/12992413
• 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 a 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 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
• Preferred Experience: 1–2 years successful peri‑operative (Operating Room) nursing practice to include circulating – scrub – and pre‑op/PACU experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• The VA Puget Sound Healthcare System is recruiting for a Registered Nurse to perform duties in the operating room at the American Lake VA Medical Center in Tacoma – Washington
• Accountable for patient outcomes resulting from the nursing care for the patient undergoing surgical/invasive procedure
• Assures the sterility of the surgical field is maintained and all instrumentation and equipment in play is used in a safe and efficient manner
• Protects the patient from injury caused by chemical – electrical – mechanical – and thermal sources – and extraneous objects
• Performs counting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items
• Participates in the Time Out process to ensure correct site – side – and level
• Follows implant and tissue/tissue‑based product documentation, policy, and procedures
• Manages the patient's specimens in the appropriate manner
• Administers medications safely and correctly
• Performs interventions to maintain the patient's wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels – and performs interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection
• Responsible for ensuring comprehensive documentation of all care provided during the peri‑operative experience is timely, complete, and accurate in the electronic health record
• Responsible for knowing what reusable instruments – equipment – medical devices – or supplies are in use in the clinical area
• Obtains, reads and follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all reusable medical equipment (RME) in use in the clinical area and consults Sterile Processing and/or Infection Control as needed
• 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)
• Work Schedule: Full‑time – Monday to Friday – 6:30am to 3:00pm
• Telework: Not available; Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for EDRP – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date
• Approval – award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application
• Former EDRP Participants are ineligible to apply for the program
• Contact [e-mail] for questions/assistance
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Additional Information

All positions are subject to the Equal Opportunity Employment requirements. Veterans and VA employees are encouraged to apply pursuant to the policy updates governing Veteran hiring.