Summary
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.
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/12745278
- 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: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - and sitting
- The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing
- S/he may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
- S/he must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - and able to shift priorities based on patient needs
- Applicants must possess the mental and physical ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment
- Physical requirements may involve lifting - carrying - pulling - pushing - reaching above shoulder - walking - standing - sitting - kneeling - and repeated bending
- S/he must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as TB screening or testing on hire - as a condition of employment
- Note: Must have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) prior to assuming clinical duties
- The BLS requirement is satisfied by successfully completing an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Healthcare Provider Course or Military Training Network (MTN)
- The ACLS requirement is satisfied by attaining - and maintaining - current status through an approved AHA Advanced Cardiac Life Support Course
- No online certifications will be accepted.
Duties
- Preferred Experience: Urgent Care - Emergency Department - or specialty clinics (Perioperative - Post anesthesia care unit)
- The Nurse Urgent Care (UC) Registered Nurse (RN) executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of complex patient care
- Collaborates in the development - implementation - evaluation - and revision of policies - procedures - and/or guidelines
- Provides urgent care to patients with acute and/or chronic medical - surgical - and psychiatric conditions
- Nursing care ranges from basic nursing care to initial stabilization care
- UC nursing practice is independent and collaborative
- The UC RN practice includes the roles of direct care provider - educator - administrator - researcher - consultant - leader - and advocate
- Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement
- Supports colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality nursing care
- Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals
- Evaluates outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals - groups - and populations
- Responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level
- Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility
- The UC RN is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing care
- They assess the patient by collecting pertinent data or information - including the triage of patients based on the five-level triage system to prioritize patients that require more immediate care
- They use the assessment data to determine diagnoses - problems - or other concerns
- They will identify expected outcomes to develop a collaborative and individualized plan for each patient
- The UC RN will implement that plan - including care coordination - health teaching - and health promotion
- They evaluate the progress toward achieving the expected goal and outcomes and adjusts the plan as necessary
- UC RN responsibilities include but are not limited to: -Receives SBAR \"hand-off\" report from nursing staff for all patients referred for urgent care evaluation
- Knowledge of common patient conditions that may require a referral for urgent care assessment (falls or other injuries - chest pain - compromised cardio-pulmonary states - hypoglycemia - or post-Stat Page or Code Blue event)
- - Knowledge - ability - and skills to respond to urgent/emergent patient care situations using established UC protocols
- - Able to perform 12-lead EKG and review for wave forms that require immediate provider attention
- - Ability to provide patient education for care - treatments - diagnostic tests - and procedures done by nursing and/or provider staff
- - Assists provider with iMed informed consent procedures
- - Administers IV fluids and medications using infusion pumps
- - Ability to draw blood samples and label per policy for lab tests
- Maintains competency for point of care testing performed in UC including blood glucose and upper respiratory infection testing - Additional knowledge and skills when assisting with diagnostic tests and procedures - and functioning as a member of Stat Page and Code Blue Team: - Current BLS and ACLS certifications
- - Ability to insert peripheral IV catheters
- - Administration of emergency medications
- - Ability to monitor patients using cardiac monitors to identify normal EKG rhythms - as well as lethal dysrhythmias - describe to provider and intervene to support emergency treatment procedures until arrival of Code Blue Team
- - Supports patient's safety and wellbeing during UC care - procedures - and treatments
- - Administers prescribed medications - adult immunizations (flu and pneumonia) - and PPD skin tests in accordance with established protocols
- Provides patient education
- 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 to Friday 7:30AM-6:00PM/9:00AM-7:30PM
- Weekends/Holidays 7:30AM-6:00PM
- Rotating Schedule
- Compressed/Flexible: 4 -10hr Shifts per week Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
- Functional Statement Title: Urgent Care Registered Nurse/CBSR-12745278-25-JD
- Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized