Registered Nurse - Post Anesthesia Care Unit/Ambulatory Surgery Unit

Diversity Group; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

VA Healthcare System in the United States seeks a PACU-ASU Critical Care Nurse (RN) to provide comprehensive perioperative care across Phase I, II and extended care. The role supports all surgical and procedural specialties in a fast-paced environment.

The incumbent will apply the nursing process, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, and precept staff while ensuring adherence to VA standards and patient-centered care. Current RN license, BLS/ACLS, and CPAN are preferred.

Qualifications

• English proficiency required for patient care.
• Graduate of ACEN or CCNE-accredited nursing program.
• State licensure and bridge program options described.
• Foreign nursing education must be evaluated for equivalence.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and manage perioperative care across phases.
• Precept and mentor nursing staff and ensure policy adherence.
• Lead resuscitation efforts and monitor critical patient status.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize outcomes.

Skills

English language proficiency

RN license

BLS ACLS

CPAN

Education

ADN or Diploma

BSN

MSN (preferred)

Job description

Summary

The Perioperative Post Anesthesia Care Unit & Ambulatory Surgery Unit (PACU-ASU) Critical Care Nurse is a professional registered nurse (RN) who is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process along the Perioperative continuity of care - PeriAnesthesia - Post-anesthesia Phase I - Phase II - and Extended Care. The incumbent provides care to all surgical and procedural service specialties.

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/13075578


• 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/


• Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over)


• Straight Pulling - Pushing - Walking - Standing - Repeated bending (8 - 12 hours)


• Reaching above shoulder


• Use of fingers


• Both hands and legs required


• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously


• Near vision correctable at 13\"\" to 16\"\" to Jaeger 1 to 4


• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other


• Both eyes required


• Depth perception


• Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors


• Hearing (aid permitted)


• Emotional/Mental stability


• Keyboarding and reading computer screen (8-12 hours intermittently over scheduled shift).

Duties

• The PACU-ASU Critical Care RN assumes the following major duties and responsibilities: 1


• Competent in charge nurse and preceptor duties


• 2


• Practice affects unit - team - or workgroup level to improve care


• 3


• Practices independently


• 4


• Organizes and coordinates staff and resources to identify problems - issues - and needs to improve existing processes at the unit - team - or workgroup level


• 5


• Looks for opportunities to improve practice or functions at the unit level for a group of patients - using group process to accomplish this by organizing - leading - or facilitating interdisciplinary team meeting(s)


• 6


• Precepts and mentors others by coordinating patient care and collaborating with other disciplines/ departments to achieve desired patient outcomes


• 7


• Precepts and coaches others on appropriate management of mechanically ventilated patients


• 8


• Precepts and coaches others on safe and therapeutic care of the patient with epicardial and transvenous pacing


• 9


• Able to lead resuscitation efforts of a patient during a code blue or rapid response situation


• 10.Strong analytical and critical thinking skills - with the ability to quickly analyze problems - determine appropriate level of intervention - and develop and apply effective solutions


• 11.Assists the UPC and the Nurse Manager in the development - maintenance - and implementation of the Units Score Card - addressing process related to the feedback from All Employee Survey


• 12.Proactively makes leadership choices to prioritize Veteran-Centered needs - operating within allocated resources - and takes the initiative to find solutions to operational challenges


• 13.Functions as an expert in clinical practice and/or areas related to the assignment of roles and responsibilities


• 14.Guides - develops - and supports staff from a leadership perspective


• 15.Assumes leadership role in identifying policies procedures - standards - guidelines - and protocols requiring review or revision


• 16.Performs other duties as assigned


• Preferred Experience: Current - unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license


• Minimum of two (2) years of current experience in a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) providing critical care-level services


• Demonstrated competency in managing patients across the perioperative continuum - including Phase I (immediate post-anesthesia) - Phase II (recovery) - and extended care settings


• Strong clinical skills in airway management - hemodynamic monitoring - pain control - and post-anesthesia recovery


• Experience caring for a wide range of surgical and procedural patient populations


• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications


• Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) credential


• Ability to independently assess - plan - implement - and evaluate patient care in a fast-paced - high-acuity environment


• Demonstrated leadership abilities - including charge nurse responsibilities - precepting - and mentoring staff


• Experience with mechanical ventilation - cardiac monitoring - and emergency response (e.g. - code blue - rapid response)


• Strong critical thinking - problem-solving - and organizational skills


• Effective communication and collaboration skills across interdisciplinary teams


• and Commitment to adhering to established policies - standards of care - and professional nursing practice


• 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 - 2200


• To be discussed during interview Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position


• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required