Registered Nurse (Outpatient Surgery)

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off (50 days/year)

Federal pension

Federal 401K

Insurance: health/vision/dental/ LT C

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, is seeking an Ambulatory Surgery Registered Nurse to provide and supervise direct patient care. Responsibilities include nursing assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation in line with age-specific care, medication administration, and adherence to established policies.

The role emphasizes patient education, self-management, coordination of care, and a focus on patient satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.

Qualifications

• English language proficiency per 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by accrediting agency (ACEN/CCNE)
• State license to practice as registered nurse upon appointment
• Credit for foreign education requires degree equivalence validation where applicable
• GNT exception for certain bridge program pathways with temporary appointment

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care using the nursing process (assess, plans, implement, evaluate)
• Administer medications and procedures per policy
• Coordinate patient education, self-management, and discharge planning
• Ensure care continuity across continuum and maintain patient satisfaction
• Maintain accurate documentation and adhere to VA directives

Skills

English proficiency

Nursing assessment

Medication administration

Patient education

Care coordination

Education

Nursing degree (ADN/ Diploma or BSN)

RN license (US state)

ACEN/CCNE accreditation for program

Job description

Summary

Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines.

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/13101590
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Preferred Experience: Outpatient surgery experience within last 3 years preferred CAPA/CPAN certification preferred Physical Requirements: May be required - depending on the needs of the organization.

Duties

• Major Duties: The Ambulatory Surgery Registered Nurse (RN) provides pre-operative/procedural care - including (but not limited to) the nursing assessment of patients - consent - and History and Physical (H&P) validations - the starting of intravenous fluids including venipuncture - assisting with peripheral nerve blocks - assuring all lab work and other pre-operative/procedural testing is completed and communicated to team members - confirms surgical sites are prepared and marked - and the administration of medications as ordered
• Provides clear and concise preoperative teaching and reviews discharge instructions to patients and families with written and verbal communication
• Monitors post-operative patient's level of consciousness after the recovery of anesthesia/sedation
• Closely observes signs of side effect of post residual anesthesia medications
• Maintains knowledge of current American Society of peri-Anesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) standards - VHA Directives - and service level standard operating procedures
• Responsible for ensuring comprehensive documentation of all phases of care and is timely - complete - and accurate in the electronic health record (EHR)
• The Ambulatory Surgery RN provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Supports colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals
• Contributes professional nursing perspective in discussions with the interdisciplinary team
• Partners with others to effect change and produce optimal outcomes
• Evaluates outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals - groups - and populations
• Responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level
• Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility
• May be required to cross-train and support other nursing units in the Perioperative Nursing Service
• 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 - 0500-1330 - 0530-1400 - 0930-1800 - 1130-2000 - On Call Duty Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized