The 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

This appointment is a Not To Exceed 24 months appointment! Under this appointment life insurance and health benefits only will be provided. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The registered nurse (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, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling; 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 provide. The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community. (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses). The RN, as a licensed professional, will be responsible and accountable for his/her practice. Sheridan VA Health Care System is a low complexity medical center focusing on primary care, inpatient mental health and long term care. The RN provides competent care to patients in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings to include the medical unit, community living center, acute psychiatry, residential rehabilitation, ambulatory, mental health and specialty clinics, urgent care and extended or community based care. 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. Specific functions may vary by unit assigned and include, but are not limited to: 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 facility/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 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. 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. Maintains up to date competencies for the assigned unit. Maintains current and active BLS and ACLS certifications. 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. 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: 7:30am - 1600, Monday through Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Available (ADHOC only) 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: At least 3 years of nursing experience in various care settings Comfortable with data collection, analysis and trending 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 patient lifts are provided and are to be used to preserve patient and staff safety. 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. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

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 Sheridan VA Medical Center 1898 Fort Road Sheridan, WY 82801 US
• Name: Julia Heath
• Phone: (720) 723-4804
• Email: [email protected]