Registered Nurse (Med/Surg)

Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Location: Topeka
Posted on: June 20, 2022

Job Description:

Summary First Area of Consideration (AOC) will be given to AFGE bargaining unit employees at Topeka VAMC. Second AOC will be given to EKHCS permanent employees. Third AOC will be given to the public (US citizens and nationals). Responsibilities This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until November 16, 2022. Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. VA Eastern Kansas HCS is a dual campus with a VA Medical Center in Leavenworth, KS. Positions may be filled for either campus. Our facility is seeking individuals who possess good organizational skills which enable completion of work, a demonstrated ability to assume leadership in a patient centered program, and the ability to establish effective communication with patients, families, visitors and members of the interdisciplinary team. Excellent communication and customer service skills are required. The staff nurse is responsible to the Nurse Manager both clinically and administratively. The primary responsibilities of this Registered Nurse may vary by assignment. Those duties may include but not limited to: Provide care that incorporates the age, gender, cultural and learning needs of patients requiring complex planning and evaluation of care. Provides direct and indirect nursing care to critically ill patients by assessing patient status, determining priorities, identifying nursing needs and therapeutic objectives, and evaluating outcomes. The position requires independent judgment and nursing actions, flexibility, organizational skills, and the ability to utilize an interdisciplinary approach in the provision of professional nursing care. Provide prescribed medical treatment and personal care services to ill and injured veterans. Manage a defined but dynamic caseload of patients in collaboration with an interdisciplinary healthcare team. Documenting observations, assessments, and changes in patient's condition. Collaborating with health team members to facilitate positive patient care outcomes. Providing a full range of nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavior problems. Accountable for meeting and maintaining the qualification standards and functional statements of assigned grade. Demonstrate leadership in providing a safe and supportive environment for patients, staff and others. Apply and direct others to apply infection control measures appropriately in delivering care. Identify potential problems involving resources and/or safety and take action to ensure patient safety and a therapeutic environment. Demonstrate all mandatory organizational and clinical competencies of the position. To include competency in telemetry, 12 lead EKG interpretation, calculation and titration of critical care IV medications, moderate sedation, EtCO2 monitoring, Code management, ACLS/BLS, ACS, STEMI/NSTEMI, Stroke management, common ED orthopedic splinting, and C-Spine precautions. Will be expected to provide nursing coverage to other nursing departments (ie. Emergency Department, COVID Supportive Operations, Medical Surgical Unit, Community Life Center, Domiciliary) during staffing shortages or periods of low unit census. Assignment may be to any of the above-mentioned units depending on current staffing needs of the service line. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Evening shift with possible rotation. Mix of 12 hour shifts, if allowed, 1130-2400 and 8 hour shifts 1530-2400 to equal 80 hours per pay period. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Pay Schedule: The salary range listed in this announcement is the base-line salary for a full-time work schedule. Starting salary will be set based on locality. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required. Paid Time Off: Receive 13 to 26 days paid paid annual (vacation/personal) leave per year, 13 sick days annual with no limitation on accumulation, and 11 paid federal holidays. 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). For More Information on Benefits: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Benefits/EmploymentBenefits/ Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Preferred Experience: BSN Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The physical requirements for this position in accordance with HRML No. 05-12-02 , Employment of People with Disabilities, Including Under Schedule A, 5 CFR 213.3102(u). Heavy Lifting (35 pounds and over); Heavy Carrying (35 pounds and over); Straight pulling and/or Pushing (up to 6-8 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both Hands required; Walking (up to 6-8 hours); Standing (up to 4 hours); Sitting (up to 1 hour); Kneeling; Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Both legs required. Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; Hearing (aid permitted); Ability to hear whispered voice. Emotional stability. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Annual leave shall accrue for full-time Nurses, and Nurse Anesthetists at the rate of 8 hours for each full biweekly pay period. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

Keywords: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Topeka , Registered Nurse (Med/Surg), Healthcare , Topeka, Kansas