Functions as a Licensed Independent Practitioner within the Gastroenterology Department at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System. Duties include ongoing evaluation and assessment of inpatients and outpatients seen within a specialty clinic setting, and includes management of required labs, medications, consultation and/or follow-up planning on known or suspected Gastroenterology pathology. Progress notes and orders are required on all patients, as well as, histories and physicals when indicated

Duties

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. DUTIES: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care. The Nurse II registered nurse is an PROFICIENT nurse, "who understands a situation as a whole because they perceive its meaning in terms of long-term goals." (Benner). The proficient nurse learns from experience what typical events to expect in a given situation and how plans need to be modified in response to those events. The proficient nurse can now recognize when the expected picture does not materialize; decision making is less labored. The proficient nurse considers fewer options and hones in on an accurate region of the problem (Benner). Duties of the Nurse Practitioner Specialty Care Provider: The Specialty Care Nurse Practitioner functions in a clinical role to provide Veteran care and promote patient-centered interdisciplinary approaches to those individuals referred to Specialty services at VACIHCS in accordance with standards of VHA and other accrediting bodies to include the following: These duties are performed on a routine and repetitive basis based upon the training and experience of the incumbent specialty NP. Perform initial physical examinations on new patients collecting information regarding the history of the chief complaint and completes a physical examination, to develop and implement an appropriate level of expertise regarding specialty evaluation & treatment. Manages ongoing treatment of follow-up patients, consulting with the specialty as appropriate based upon the NP's experience and delegation of duties. Coordinates care for specialty patients, ordering appropriate diagnostic tests, performs patient education regarding ongoing care of specialty needs, prescribes medications an Places orders for diagnostic tests (e.g. MRI, ABI, orthotics, X-rays, bone scans etc.), and evaluates test results / reports. Coordinates clinic and providers schedules to maximize clinic efficiency and Veteran access to care. Coordinates pre-operative work-up for operative patients and arranges for them to be put on the schedule. Evaluates, treats and triages walk-in or add-on outpatients on a daily basis. Manages inpatient care as requested, making rounds, recording their medical progress, updating and summarizing medical records, changing patient orders as appropriate, and notifying the admitting physician of significant changes in the patient's condition. Provides education and counseling to patients and families regarding preventive care, medical conditions, and use of prescribed treatments and drugs. Obtain surgical I-med consents in person and by recorded phone conversation for those procedures identified by the physician performing the procedure as appropriate. If determined appropriate, participate in specialty after-hours call as delegated by Chief of Specialty Care. Prescribes medications as appropriate for patients. Administrative duties as assigned. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more

Requirements

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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. 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. Master's or Doctoral Degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission (ACEN-Formerly NCLAC) or the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 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. Nurse Practitioners must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected. Preferred Experience and Certifications - NP 3 years of GI NP experience 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 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. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Nurse Practitioners. A nurse practitioner must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State, possess a master's degree from a program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE, and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected. 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

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.

Contacts

• Address VA Central Iowa Health Care System 3600 30th St Des Moines, IA 50310 US
• Name: Nicole Howell
• Phone: (612) 629-7814
• Email: [email protected]