The Registered Nurse - Unit Nurse Educator implements a comprehensive education and training program for his/her assigned units/department. Educational programs typically include, but are not limited to orientation, continuing education and in-services. Other services may include, but are not limited to process, performance and service-delivery consultation and contributions to the organization. This position is approved for a Recruitment Incentive up to $15,000.

Duties

The incumbent is expected to perform direct patient care when needed. The incumbent works under the guidance of the Chief Nurse of Operations. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Accounts as the primary clinical educator for the assigned nursing unit/s and consultant to administrative services/departments as assigned. Orients new nursing staff, evaluation of their progress in the orientation process and for developing and implementing a learning plan for improving identified deficiencies. Designs curricula, teaching and guiding the nursing staff, evaluating initial and ongoing competencies, writing or reviewing educational material. Provides multiple modalities to educate staff, including but not limited to simulation, online education, and traditional face-to-face education. Incorporates flexibility with scheduling to accommodate staff from various tours (days, nights, weekends if needed). Incorporates the Donna Wright competency assessment model to provide various methods of competency validations. Creates and implements cost-effective, efficient, and timely education using innovative teaching methods and technology to help nursing staff gain competence and confidence in their practice and foster lifelong learning. Serves as mentors, role models, and preceptors to influence staff nurses' professional development. Orients new Educators and provide mentorship to ensure quality education program development and delivery. Works collaboratively with Education Service and service leaderships within the medical center and its affiliating CBOCs in the development and implementation of nursing and facility-wide educational programs and initiatives. Provides leadership guidance for various training collaborations with other Educators. Provides support and clinical resource to the nursing staff of assigned unit/department; assisting nurses at the bedside with specialized patient care and just in time education. Collects and assesses data and information, perform gap analysis and needs assessment related to education needs for assigned unit/department; coordinate, develop, implement and evaluate education programs and activities to fit needs. Fosters staff participation in educational projects and activities to promote professional development. Demonstrates professional nursing practice, which is characterized by leadership and accomplishments in developing and implementing programs to improve the delivery of patient care. Initiates changes in educational programs based on current concepts, finds, research and/or studies. Serves on councils and committees such as unit shared governance, performance improvement, and SAIL. Motivates and educates nursing staff to adopt new practice changes incorporating evidence-based practices that promote positive patient outcomes. Serves as direct care provider/charge nurse when needed. 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: Rotating Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be 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: Previous Critical Care Experience Previous Emergency Room Experience Previous Experience as an Educator Specialty Certification in Critical Care or Nursing Education MSN Preferred 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: 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. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. 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. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

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 Overton Brooks VA Medical Center 510 East Stoner Avenue Shreveport, LA 71101 US
• Name: Deonne Francis
• Phone: (786)782-6318
• Email: [email protected]