This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until April 15, 2024 or until positions are filled. The first cut-off date is November 16, 2023. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on a as-needed basis until positions are filled. Applicants will remain active for 3 months after their initial application is received and/or updated. After that time, you must update your application through your USAJobs account if you would like to be made active again for possible consideration during the open period. As an Acute Critical Care Nurse Practitioner, your role encompasses a multifaceted approach to patient care on the neurosurgical floor. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring that patients receive comprehensive and specialized care throughout their hospital stay. Your responsibilities include: Patient Assessment and Management Conduct comprehensive physical assessments, neurological examinations, and health histories for patients on the neurosurgical floor, and in Intensive care unit. Continuously monitor and manage the condition of postoperative patients both on floor and Intensive care unit, ensuring timely interventions and adjustments to treatment plans. Administer and titrate medications and treatments as required, with a focus on pain management and neurological stability. Collaborate closely with neurosurgeons and the healthcare team to provide prompt responses to changes in patients' conditions. Do daily morning and afternoon round on the postoperative patients. Floor and emergency department Consults Be readily available for consultations from medical and surgical teams requiring neurosurgical expertise. Be available to examine the patient on the floor. Assess patients on all the floors who may present with neurological concerns and provide guidance on appropriate management and interventions. Be also available for consultations from the Emergency Department and be ready to examine the patient when necessary. Postoperative Care Oversee the care of patients following neurosurgical procedures, including monitoring surgical sites, neurological status, and vital signs. Evaluate and manage potential postoperative complications, such as infections or bleeding. Coordinate with the surgical team to ensure patients' postoperative recovery progresses smoothly. Discharge Planning Collaborate with the healthcare team to develop and implement safe and effective discharge plans for patients. Provide patient and family education regarding medication management, wound care, activity restrictions, and follow-up appointments to promote successful transitions to home or rehabilitation facilities. Wound Care and Surgical Site Management Conduct meticulous assessments of surgical wounds, assessing for signs of infection or other complications. Initiate wound care protocols, which may include dressing changes, wound cleaning, and patient education on wound care techniques. Ensure wound healing progresses as expected and consult with the surgical team for any concerns. Documentation and Communication Maintain thorough electronic health records, documenting patient assessments, interventions, and responses to treatment. Communicate effectively with the healthcare team, providing updates on patient progress and collaborating on care plans. Ensure accurate and timely completion of consult notes, discharge summaries, and other necessary documentation. Outpatient clinic The NP may be required to participate in outpatient clinic appointments and be actively involved in patients' examination. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:30am- 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized EDRP: Authorized Learn more. 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. 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. Master's or Doctoral Degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission (ACEN-Formerly NCLAC) or the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 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. Nurse Practitioners must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected. Preferred Experience and Certifications: Acute Care Adult Nurse Practitioner Certification Experience in the Inpatient or Emergency Dept as a Licensed Independent Provider Postoperative care experience Previous experience with CPRS and the VA Intraoperative 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 III - Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's 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: The position requires compliance with VA Handbook and VANTHCS Policy related to physical requirements. Moderate Lifting 15-44 pounds, Moderate carrying 15-44 pounds, Pushing for 8-12 hours, Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking 8-12 hours, Standing 8-12 hours, Kneeling 8-12 hours, Repeated bending for 8-12 hours, Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye, Both eyes required, Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted), Sitting for 8 hours, Simple Grasping for 2-4 hours, Fine manipulation including keyboarding for 4-6 hours, Twisting for 2 hours.

Education

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission On Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Verification of accreditation may be obtained from http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm or https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp

• If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
• If your school was accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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 Dallas VA Medical Center 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]