RN Staff - Outpatient Surgical Clinics

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Hartford (VT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Comprehensive federal benefits

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration seeks a Nursing – Ambulatory Care Service professional for the RN staff role in the VA White River Junction Healthcare System, VT. You will deliver leadership in outpatient care across multiple surgical clinics and coordinate patient transition through the care continuum.

Responsibilities include triaging patients, documenting telephone encounters, assisting with clinics, and supporting patient education and safety initiatives.

Qualifications

• English Language Proficiency required by VA policy.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English for direct patient care.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate care in ambulatory surgery clinics.
• Triages unscheduled patients and documents telephone encounters.
• Assist Providers with clinics and procedures and follow clinic protocols.
• Promote patient education and active participation in health goals.
• Support continuous quality improvement and safety initiatives.
• Work schedule is 8-hour shifts, Monday to Friday.

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: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13071753
• 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
• Preferred Experience: 3-5 years of outpatient experience - procedural experience - surgical outpatient experience BSN 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

• The RN Staff - Surgical Clinic position is in the Nursing - Ambulatory Care Service at the VA White River Junction Healthcare System - located at the White River Junction - VT location
• This position is full-time at 40 hours per week
• Included but are not limited to: As the Outpatient Surgery Specialty Clinic Registered Nurse - you will execute position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of complex outpatient care
• Assume responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of patient care - patient and family education - patient self-management - and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction
• Collaborate in the development - implementation - evaluation - and revision of policies - procedures - and/or guidelines
• Support colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality outpatient nursing care
• Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals
• Evaluate outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals - groups - and populations
• You will be expected to perform duties in the various Surgical Specialty Clinics (Vascular Surgery - General Surgery - Plastic Surgery - and cross-train across all surgical clinics to ensure safe continuation of patient care including Urology - Podiatry - ENT - Ortho and Pain)
• Perform an autonomous role - triaging unscheduled patients - answering and documenting telephone encounters - supporting and utilizing various computer programs and documenting care within the electronic medical record
• Follow clinic protocols and assist Providers with clinics and procedures
• Optimize patient care delivery and patient outcomes
• Provide care to patients with pre and post - surgical conditions and utilize skills to promote active participation in the development of patient driven goals for health optimization
• Additionally - you will perform in collaboration with the provider and the team members providing patient education and coordinating activities as directed by the physician or licensed provider
• Assist with patient concerns and participate in process improvement and safety initiatives
• Promote a positive customer environment of care
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: 8 hour shifts Monday-Friday - no weekends - no holidays Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Hannah Neilson [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more 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 Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - (Notice of Personnel Action)
• The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)
• In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held
• This position is covered by a special rate
• This position is a Bargaining Unit position
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards