Wound Care Registered Nurse

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Federal health insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Wound Care Registered Nurse to lead and manage complex wound care cases with a focus on patient-centered outcomes. The role emphasizes leadership, clinical expertise, and innovative approaches to wound management.

The R.N. will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, provide education, and ensure adherence to VA policies and evidence-based practices in a fast-paced clinical setting.

Qualifications

• English language proficiency per VA requirements.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license in a US state or territory.
• School of professional nursing accredited by ACEN or CCNE at program completion.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate wound care for patients.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team and educate patients and caregivers.
• Administer medications and procedures per VA policies and guidelines.
• Lead initiatives to improve care quality and patient outcomes.
• Advise on wound management, ostomy, and continence care as needed.
• Support infection prevention and evidence-based practice in wound care.

Skills

English language proficiency

Education

RN nursing degree (ADN/ Diploma or BSN)

Job description

Summary

The Wound Care Registered Nurse executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to the management of complex wound care patients.

The Wound Care Registered Nurse executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to the management of complex wound care patients.

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/13060595
• 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/
• Preferred Experience: WOC certified
• 1 year of Wound Care experience
• Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting - Heavy Carrying - Straight Pulling - Pushing - Reaching above the shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking
• Standing
• Repeated bending
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13'' and 16''
• Hearing Aid permitted.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on skin and wound etiology
• Responsible for the coordination of care focused on 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 of the interdisciplinary team
• Coordinates care by serving as an expert clinician and patient /resident advocate in wound management (which may include ostomy and continence care
• Identifies programmatic steps to reduce risk and incidence of pressure injuries
• Monitors effectiveness of education provided an assures evidence-based current content of education
• Collaborates in the development - implementation - evaluation and revision of policies - procedures and /or guidelines
• 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 7:30am-4:00pm
• Work schedule subject to change based on agency needs
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized