Registered Nurse (Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Program)

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

VA South Texas Health Care System seeks a Registered Nurse to support the Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Program at Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans' Hospital.

The RN will assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care across age groups, emphasizing education, self-management, and patient satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Responsibilities include administering medications, coordinating with the interdisciplinary team, and adapting care to individual needs while

Qualifications

• Graduate of an approved nursing program with ACEN/CCNE accreditation, or equivalent.
• Active RN license in the United States.
• Bridge program eligibility for RN licensure is considered.
• Foreign-educated nurses may require degree equivalency validation.

Responsibilities

• Provide and supervise direct patient care using the nursing process.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care.
• Coordinate care with emphasis on patient education, self-management, and satisfaction.
• Administer medications and procedures per policy.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to improve outcomes.
• Lead and adapt care for diverse age groups including geriatric patients.
• Maintain flexibility in schedule and isolation precautions when needed.
• Participate in VA Nurse Total Rewards program.

Skills

Nursing

English proficiency

Patient education

Medication administration

Education

Accredited nursing program (ACEN/CCNE)

State RN license

Job description

Summary

VA South Texas Health Care System is seeking a Registered Nurse (RN) for the Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Program (PTRP) at Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans' Hospital who will be responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process - assessing - planning and evaluating care based on age-specific components - coordinating care focused on patient education - self-management - administering medications - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care

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
• Education: 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)
• License/Registration: 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.) Grandfathering Provision Note - 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
• Additional Requirement - Current and valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification by The American Heart Association (AHA) or The American Red Cross (ARC) is required for this position
• 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/13099700
• 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/.

Duties

• Polytrauma Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (RN) is 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
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of complex client care
• The primary age of Veterans treated is in their middle years (ages 40 to 50) or at the geriatric level (ages 60 or older)
• There are occasionally younger patients between the ages of 25 to 40 years of age that require care
• The position requires the incumbent to possess or develop an understanding of the particular needs of these types of patients
• Sensitivity to the special needs of all patients in respect to age - developmental requirements - and culturally related factors must be consistently achieved
• This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments
• May be required to work in modified work environments - care for patients on isolation precautions - screen potentially infectious patients - and participate in labor pools
• 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 Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Work Schedule: TBD (Rotating Shifts - Days/Nights - Weekends - Holidays - flexible works schedules) Telework: Not Authorized VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards