The Wilkes-Barre VAMC is currently recruiting for a Registered Nurse Float within Inpatient Services. The RN Staff Nurse Float will function as a Staff Nurse in the ER, ICU, MED/SURG, Psychiatry and Community Living Center. The RN Float is accountable to the Nursing Care Coordinator for providing the highest quality of nursing care possible for patients.

Duties

At the Wilkes-Barre VAMC, the RN Staff Nurse Float will function as a Staff Nurse in the ER, ICU, MED/SURG, Psychiatry and Community Living Center. The RN Float is accountable to the NCC for providing the highest quality of nursing care possible for patients. This responsibility includes the utilization of general clinical nursing skills and knowledge in the area of care and patient safety, coordination of patients and education of patients/significant others as indicated. The RN Staff Nurse Float: Delivers nursing care and assessment consistent with the standards of practice in the units assigned. Accurately and completely documents assessment, finding, any changes in patient status and nursing interventions in a timely manner, following established unit procedure/ protocol utilizing electronic medical record. Successfully performs bedside monitoring (EKG & remote telemetry) per hospital/unit policy & procedures, recognizes common cardiac rhythms/arrhythmias and processes the knowledge and skill to take appropriate action. Accurately and safely administers and documents all forms of medication per routes ordered, including sedation medications by following approved protocols, orders. Demonstrates proficiency in venipuncture/IV start techniques, maintenance of vascular access sites, and the infusion of parental infusions consistent with facility policy. Demonstrates appropriate cares for pre and post-operative Med/Surg. and ICU patients recognizing possible complications and acts to prevent these developments. Demonstrates proficiency / knowledge in in the application of Oxygen support equipment / devices consistent with facility policy. Demonstrates the skill and knowledge to manage the care of a patient with artificial airways and mechanical ventilation assessing the changes in status and intervening to resolve actual or potential problems. Demonstrates knowledge and skill in deferent modalities of invasive/ non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring including but not limited to arterial and central venous pressure. Demonstrates the skills and knowledge required to safely assist the medical providers in the performance of routine bedside procedures including the performance of moderate sedation. Effectively cares for pre and post-operative patients recognizing possible complications and acts to prevent these developments. Demonstrates the ability to recognize impending or actual cardiac and/or respiratory arrests and initiates appropriate actions in an organized and efficient manner consistent with the policies of the hospital. Operating Procedures governing Remote Telemetry program. Assures own professional development through certification, ongoing continuing education activities, and involvement in professional organizations. Maintains up to date competencies for the ED, ICU, Med Surg, CLC and Mental Health units. Maintains current and active BLS and ACLS certifications. Demonstrates professional behavior, and effective communication skills that enhance working with others. Uses interpersonal communication strategies with individuals or groups that results in the achievement of the intended outcomes. Demonstrates positive team building skills. Demonstrates ability to adapt to rapid changes in acuity and workload and is flexible in changing assignments when needed. Participates in Performance Improvement activities. Identifies opportunities to improve patient care through monitoring, analyzing, and assessment. 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: 8:00 pm - 8:00 am (6 twelve hour tours) and 1 eight hour tour (either 4:00 pm-12:00 am or 12:00 am-8:00 am) per pay period for a total of 80 hours per pay period Compressed/Flexible: Yes Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. 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: Minimum of 2 years Critical Care experience in the ICU or/and ER and BLS/ACLS certification. 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years 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. 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: Heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds); heavy carrying (up to 50 pounds); straight pulling (2-4 hours); pushing (2-4 hours); reaching above shoulders (1-2 hours); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (4-6 hours); standing (4-6 hours); repeated bending (2-4 hours); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of color; hear (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability.

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.

Contacts

• Address Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center 1111 East End Boulevard Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 US
• Name: Beverly Gurdock
• Phone: (570) 824-3521 X24174
• Email: [email protected]