RN - POST ANESTHESIA CARE UNIT

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Chelsea (ME); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP Eligible

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in the United States seeks a professional nurse to provide perioperative care and surgical assistance. This position requires a registered nurse with ACEN/CCNE education or equivalent, licensure in good standing, and eligibility for VA practice.

The role involves pre-op assessment, intraoperative support, and post-operative recovery activities, with focus on patient safety and education.

Qualifications

• Valid nursing licensure in the United States (RN)
• English language proficiency required for direct patient care
• Graduate nursing program from ACEN/CCNE-accredited school (or equivalent)
• State license upon completion or during bridge program
• Foreign-educated nurses require degree equivalency validation
• Ability to obtain and maintain licensure in a VA facility

Responsibilities

• Perform pre-operative assessments and review medical history
• Verify orders, consent, IV access, and anesthesia readiness
• Assist with procedures while maintaining sterile technique
• Provide Phase I/II recovery care and monitor vitals
• Deliver comprehensive discharge instructions and patient education
• Document care accurately and coordinate with perioperative team
• Support safe, efficient patient transitions and family communication

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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:
• 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: All applicants must be physically able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position
• A pre-placement physical examination shall be completed prior to appointment.

Duties

• Included but are not limited to: Conduct pre-operative assessments - including medical history review - medication reconciliation - required testing - and patient/family education
• Prepare patients for surgery by verifying orders - confirming consent - initiating IV access - and ensuring readiness for anesthesia and the procedure
• Assist providers with minor procedures and pain management procedures while maintaining sterile technique and patient safety
• Receive patients from the OR or procedural areas and perform Phase I post-anesthesia recovery - focusing on airway management - breathing - circulation - consciousness level - pain control - and stabilization of vital signs
• Transition patients to Phase II recovery once criteria are met - providing ongoing monitoring - comfort measures - mobility assistance - hydration - and preparation for discharge
• Manage post-operative needs such as pain control - nausea prevention - respiratory support - and hemodynamic monitoring throughout both recovery phases
• Respond promptly to changes in patient condition using strong clinical judgment and established protocols
• Provide comprehensive discharge teaching regarding post-operative expectations - home-care instructions - medications - activity restrictions - and follow-up needs
• Maintain accurate - clear - and timely documentation across all stages of care
• Collaborate effectively with surgeons - anesthesia providers - procedural nurses - and other perioperative team members to support safe - efficient patient transitions
• Promote a safe - calm - and supportive environment for patients and families throughout the surgical experience
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0730 - 1600 Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• 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