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

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 provider (Colorado Board of Nursing). 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. The incumbent practices as a RN in the seven room Operating Suite & three minor procedure rooms, providing care for patients in the intraoperative phase of the perioperative process. Patient populations include, but are not limited to those having: ENT, General Surgical, Cardio-thoracic, Genitourinary, Neurosurgical, Vascular, Orthopedic, Podiatric, Ophthalmologic and Gynecologic procedures. The RN demonstrates understanding of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills, and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic needs. The nurse plans and organizes care to complete assignments in a safe and timely manner, using evidence based practice. The RN seeks out assistance when needed. The RN demonstrates communication skills and the ability to develop and maintain effective interpersonal relationships. The nurse may be assigned to either the scrub or circulating role, with assistance as needed. The RN participates in shared governance activities. The RN 1) applies the nursing process to systems or processes to improve care; 2) demonstrates leadership by involving others in improving care; 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 regulations, 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 that result in improved outcomes; 12) uses a body of research to validate and/or change work group practice; 13) demonstrates competency in performing all unit specific nursing interventions and procedures to include, but not limited to: preparing room and equipment based on patient needs; verifying integrity of sterile supplies and instruments; setting up and maintaining a sterile field; performing the required time-out procedure; providing for physical comfort of the patient; positioning the patient to avoid injury; labeling of medications; following the policy for accepting verbal orders; handling blood and specimens correctly; performing accurate surgical counts; completing intraoperative documentation; recognizing emergency situations and responding appropriately. 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: Tour of duty will be 7:00 am to 5:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available 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: OR circulating experience required. Scrubbing experience 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 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]