Registered Nurse- Staff Float Intermittent NTE 1 year

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Wilkes-Barre (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Wilkes-Barre VA Healthcare System is recruiting Nursing Support Assistants to fill vacant positions as they arise. This open continuous announcement will refer applicants as vacancies appear, with initial cut points starting August 18, 2026 and every two weeks thereafter.

Candidates must meet English language proficiency, nursing education/licensure pathways, and be prepared for direct patient care responsibilities in a VA setting.

Job description

Summary

This is an open continuous announcement which will be used to fill any Nursing Support Assistant position that may become vacant within the Wilkes Barre VA Healthcare System for which we are hiring and can be used for up to 90 days after the announcement closes. Applicants will be referred as positions become available. This is an open continuous announcement - the First cut point will be 8/18/26 with additional cut points every 2 weeks as needed.

Qualifications

• 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/13031571
• 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 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: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment.

Duties

• The Registered Nurse executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of complex patient care
• The RN Staff Float will function as a Staff Nurse in the ER - ICU - MED/SURG - Psychiatry and Community Living Center
• The RN Float is accountable to the NCC for providing the highest quality of nursing care possible for patients
• This responsibility includes the utilization of general clinical nursing skills and knowledge in the area of care and patient safety - coordination of patients and education of patients/significant others as indicated
• The responsibilities of the RN Staff Float: Delivers nursing care and assessment consistent with the standards of practice in the units assigned
• Accurately and completely documents assessment - finding - any changes in patient Status and nursing interventions in a timely manner - following established unit procedure/ protocol utilizing electronic medical record
• Successfully performs bedside monitoring (EKG & remote telemetry) per hospital/unit policy & procedures - recognizes common cardiac rhythms/arrhythmias and processes the knowledge and skill to take appropriate action
• Accurately and safely administers and documents all forms of medication per routes ordered - including sedation medications by following approved protocols - orders
• Demonstrates proficiency in venipuncture/IV start techniques - maintenance of vascular access sites - and the infusion of parental infusions consistent with facility policy
• Demonstrates appropriate cares for pre and post-operative Med/Surg
• and ICU patients recognizing possible complications and acts to prevent these developments
• Demonstrates proficiency / knowledge in in the application of Oxygen support equipment / devices consistent with facility policy
• Demonstrates the skill and knowledge to manage the care of a patient with artificial airways and mechanical ventilation assessing the changes in status and intervening to resolve actual or potential problems
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in deferent modalities of invasive/ non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring including but not limited to arterial and central venous pressure
• Demonstrates the skills and knowledge required to safely assist the medical providers in the performance of routine bedside procedures including the performance of moderate sedation
• Effectively cares for pre and post-operative patients recognizing possible complications and acts to prevent these developments
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize impending or actual cardiac and/or respiratory arrests and initiates appropriate actions in an organized and efficient manner consistent with the policies of the hospital
• Operating Procedures governing Remote Telemetry program
• Assures own professional development through certification - ongoing continuing education activities - and involvement in professional organizations
• Maintains up to date competencies for the ED - ICU - Med Surg - CLC and Mental Health units
• Maintains current and active BLS and ACLS certifications
• Demonstrates professional behavior - and effective communication skills that enhance working with others
• Uses interpersonal communication strategies with individuals or groups that results in the achievement of the intended outcomes
• Demonstrates positive team building skills
• Demonstrates ability to adapt to rapid changes in acuity and workload and is flexible in changing assignments when needed
• Participates in Performance Improvement activities.Identifies opportunities to improve patient care through monitoring - analyzing - and assessment
• Work Schedule: Intermittent-Float Pool/ Multiple schedules (Will be discussed during interview process) PerDiem Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized