The Wound/Ostomy RN demonstrates leadership in delivering holistic care through collaborative strategies with others (VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G6), proficiency in decision-making and using the nursing process for complex situations, as well as collaboration by using the group process to solve problems. The focus is on leadership in strategically planning long-term goals for the microsystem (unit, team, or workgroup) that impacts operations or resources.

Duties

The Wound/Ostomy Registered Rurse (RN) provides care and counseling of persons or in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process which includes systematic data gathering, assessment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching; provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being; and executing medical regimens including administering medications and treatments prescribed by a licensed or otherwise legally authorized provider (Colorado Board of Nursing). The RN's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, or community. (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses).The RN, as a licensed professional, will be responsible and accountable for his/her practice. The Wound/Ostomy RN: 1) applies the nursing process to systems to improve care 2) demonstrates leadership by involving others 3) supports and enhances client self-determination 4) serves as a resource for clients and staff in resolving ethical issues 5) identifies and assesses resource utilization and safety issues taking appropriate action 6) acquires knowledge and skills to maintain expertise in areas of practice 7) participates in educational activities to improve clinical knowledge and enhance role performance 8) evaluates practice of self and others using professional standards, relevant statutes, and takes action to improve performance 9) uses the group process to identify, analyze, and resolve care problems 10) educates colleagues and/or students and serves as a preceptor and/or mentor 11) initiates/participates in quality improvement activities 12) uses a body of research to validate and/or change work group practice 13) When consulted, demonstrates competency in performing all unit specific nursing interventions and procedures to include, but not limited to: provider rounds and/or consultation with Wound/Ostomy APRN to assist with wound and ostomy needs and make recommendations for treatment; when consulted, provides pre-operative and post­operative education and stoma site marking for all surgical ostomy patients; when consulted, assists in the management of drains, tubes, and/or fistulas; completes formal and informal wound and ostomy consultation requested by all services; addresses wound, ostomy, and incontinence related skin issues to include, but not limited to: appropriate dressing and supply selection related to skin issue, negative pressure wound therapy application, compression application, and conservative sharp debridement; in conjunction with the Wound/Ostomy Nurse Manager and/or Wound/Ostomy APRN, assists with managing inventory and deployment of outpatient negative pressure wound therapy devices; assists specialty RN or PACT team with identification of pressure injuries; maintains knowledge in acquisition of wound, ostomy, and continence supplies and assists in formulary development; educates patients on wound, ostomy, and continence care and discharge instructions; communicates with department customers to include: outside vendors, healthcare providers, PACT, and medical/surgical teams; makes referrals to other specialties in conjunction with the Wound/Ostomy Nurse Manager and/or Wound/Ostomy APRN; other duties as assigned 14) The incumbent RN practices in conjunction with and at the clinical direction of the Wound/Ostomy Nurse Manager and/or Wound/Ostomy APRN for the Wound/Ostomy Program 15) The work is generally performed at the Rocky Mountain Regional (RMR) Medical Center and Golden CBOC dependent on incumbent's geographical location and/or specialty area; virtual encounters may be performed to provide care and consultation 16) The Wound/Ostomy Nurse must also be certified as a Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN), Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON), or Certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (CWOCN). If not a certified nurse in the scopes listed, the RN must be eligible to become certified within one year of hire and maintain this certification every five years. Full scope certification is preferred. 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: Hours between 7:00 am to 5:30pm (8 hour shifts) Compressed/Flexible: Not Available 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: The Wound/Ostomy Nurse must also be certified as a Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN), Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON), or Certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (CWOCN). If not a certified nurse in the scopes listed, the RN must be eligible to become certified within one year of hire and maintain this certification every five years. Full scope certification is 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. 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 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 Eastern Colorado HCS Denver 13611 E. Colfax Ave Aurora, CO 80045 US
• Name: Julia Heath
• Phone: (720) 723-4804
• Email: [email protected]