The Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for a Registered Nurse for the Surgical Clinic.

Duties

The Registered Nurse Surgical Clinics duties include but not limited to the following: Establishes effective relationships with the veteran, their family, and/or significant other(s) to facilitate the development of a care plan unique to their care needs. The Surgical Clinic RN is responsible and accountable for demonstrating the educational, experiential, and knowledge/practice-based competency requirements outlined in the 9 dimensions of nursing practice. Functions as a patient educator with peri-operative, pre-operative, post-operative and surgical procedures in accordance with the educational level of the patient/family. Prepares patients for visits with the provider by obtaining test results, x-rays, and MRI results/films when applicable. Obtain supplies needed for minor surgical procedures and assist the provider during the procedure. He/she applies the existing body of evidence-based practice and scientific knowledge in health care to surgical clinic nursing practice, ensuring that nursing care is delivered based on a respective scope of practice acts. Participates with the Veteran, family, significant other(s) and other health care providers in collaborative decision making, reflecting the understanding that care should be culturally sensitive, ethical, legal, holistic, informed, compassionate, and humane and within the boundaries of available economic resources. Document vital signs into CPRS and complete the Pain note per policy. Complete the Nursing Surgical Clinic Note when applicable to the provider. Provides immediate nursing intervention in all emergency situations. Responsible for ordering and maintaining supplies in the surgical clinic. Responsible for checking all clinic rooms for monthly supply/medication outdates and ensure all open medication vials are dated. Provides appropriate hand off communication using SBAR format. Witness consent signed by patient. Practices universal precautions related to infection control. Follow Standard Operating Procedures for all reusable medical equipment. The RN will assist in the local operating room/pain room as needed. Serves as an advocate for the Veteran, family, and significant other(s). Educates the Veteran, family, and significant other(s) about measures that promote, maintain, and restore health and promote comfort. Mobilizes resources to provide an environment that supports health promotion, health restoration, health maintenance, and comfort as defined by the client, family, and significant other(s). Employs a unit-focus to provide high quality nursing care to Veterans in the out-patient surgical clinics through collaboration, employs strategies of assessment, education, resource coordination, medication and treatment education; assist medical specialist, surgeons in treatments and/or procedures; document appropriately. Uses standards of Surgical Nursing practice to increase the quality of care and quality of life for the client, family, and significant other(s). Fosters a healthy work environment within the practice setting and profession. Systematically evaluates the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice. Communicates effectively with the client, family, significant other(s) and other health care professionals. 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, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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: 2-3 years clinical experience, minor procedure 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 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]