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

ROUTINE DUTIES The CRNA is authorized to perform routine duties on a regular, repetitive basis. These duties may be performed after specific prior discussion with the supervising physician. The CRNA works with an anesthesiologist in the performance of duties. These duties include but are not restricted to: 1. Performing, documenting and ordering pre-anesthetic assessments and evaluations of patient, including requesting consultations and diagnostic studies 2. Routinely ordering consults and appropriate labs 3. Developing and implementing an anesthetic plan Initiating the anesthetic technique, which may include general, regional, or local anesthesia, as well as monitored anesthesia care (MAC) 5. Selecting, applying, and inserting appropriate non-invasive and invasive monitoring devices for continuous evaluation of patient physical status in ASA 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 patients 6. Selecting, obtaining, and administering anesthetics and adjuvant drugs and fluids necessary to manage the anesthetic care of the patient 7. Managing a patient's airway and ventilation using current practice modalities 8. Facilitating emergence and recovery from anesthesia by selecting, administering, and ordering medications, fluids, and ventilatory support 9. Providing post-anesthetic follow-up evaluation and care NON-ROUTINE DUTIES 1. Monitoring pain management postoperatively using a numerical pain rating scale 2. Responding to emergency situations by providing airway management for emergency life support techniques EMERGENCY DUTIES The CRNA is authorized to perform emergency duties for patients with life-threatening situations where a physician is not immediately available. The CRNA initiates these activities and makes every effort to summon a physician as soon as possible. Examples of emergency duties include but are not necessarily limited to the following: 1. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 2. Tracheal intubation and management of airway emergencies 3. Advanced cardiac life support Work Schedule: On Call, Monday - Friday, Rotating Shift: 7:00am to 3:30pm, 7:00am to 5:30pm; May include Nights/Weekends/Holidays Compressed/Flexible: May be available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit Status: This position is part of the bargaining unit. 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

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. Education: 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. License: 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. Certification: On and after May 4, 1993, certification by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists is a requirement for employment. This requirement does not apply to non-certified nurse anesthetists employed by VA as a nurse anesthetist prior to May 4, 1993 and continuously thereafter. Any nurse anesthetist who leaves VA employment or vacates the nurse anesthetist occupation for another VA position, must meet the current requirement of certification for re-appointment as a nurse anesthetist. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Experience in preoperative anesthesia evaluation for minor to major surgeries on patients with ASA 1 and above status. Experience in managing anesthesia for major surgeries on patients with ASA 1 and above. Experience in supervising and training RRNA's in the preoperative setting and possible operating room setting. Experience in placing invasive lines and regional anesthesia. Experience in opening and closing encounters. Experience in using and evaluating preoperative patient's utilizing telehealth and other forms of remote preoperative evaluations. Entry Level: (Nurse II) (a) Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The following list of knowledge, skills and abilities present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level Nurse Anesthetist. Entry level into nurse anesthesia practice may include but are not limited to the following: 1. Ability to translate the principles of professional nursing practice in the care of assigned patients in order to provide appropriate care. 2. Ability to do a pre-anesthetic patient history and physical, which includes collecting pre-operative consults and data. 3. Ability to formulate an anesthetic plan and describe the anesthetic risks, benefits and options to the patient. 4. Ability to administer inhalation, regional, intravenous, local, and topical anesthetics and to detect unfavorable reactions in order to continuously evaluate the patient's physical status. 5. Ability to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and using appropriate resuscitation procedures for patient care. 6. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession. 7. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. 8. Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues and peers utilizing a collaborative team concept of anesthesia care. Full Performance Level: (Nurse III) (a) Experience and Education: In addition to meeting the requirements for Entry Level, the CRNA has had progressively responsible experience in the administration of anesthetics as indicated in the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below. These individuals must demonstrate the ability to participate in a program for nurse anesthesia care and demonstrate knowledge of anesthetizing locations, methods, equipment and procedures. At this level, the CRNA has experience in the administration of anesthetics that has demonstrated the nurse anesthetist's ability to participate in team programs that are technically challenging and/or complicated. Typically candidates can demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities of Full Performance Level within 2 years from entering the occupation. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Full Performance Level practice in nurse anesthesia includes but is not limited to the following: 1. Skill in conducting and managing anesthesia for a broad range of complex surgical procedures. In addition, the CRNA must be able to adapt/modify anesthesia techniques in order to optimize patient care. 2. Ability to complete work assignments selected to add depth and breadth to their technical knowledge and skill competence. Work assignments will vary at each facility depending on the progressive acuity required for anesthesia care. 3. Ability to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and by the use of basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques in order to perform necessary resuscitation procedures. 4. Ability to effectively blend technology, skills, and competency for the advancement of anesthesia techniques, pharmacology, and equipment. 5. Ability to apply new developments and theories to develop and demonstrate the ability to recognize and solve various complex anesthesia situations. 6. Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues and peers in a team concept of anesthesia care and blend management skills with technical experience. 7. Ability to recognize clinical and technical aspects of anesthesia care and has in-depth knowledge of anesthesia methods and techniques for the practice of anesthesia. 8. Ability to perform as a mentor, preceptor, or nurse educator providing didactic and clinical instruction for graduate-level nurse anesthesia students and/or other anesthesia care providers. 9. Ability to participate in the development of anesthesia patient care audit processes involving in depth review and analysis of anesthesia records. 10. Ability to provide guidance and instruction in preparing others for positions of leadership and ethical practices which impact patient care. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-7 Nurse Anesthetist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required.

Education

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until May 06, 2024, or until all positions are filled. The first cut-off date is November 22, 2023. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an 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.


Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Straight pulling (0.5 hour); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (4 hours); Standing (4 hours); Crawling (0.5 hours); Kneeling (2 hours); Repeated bending (0.5 hours); Climbing, use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Oral communication.

EDUCATION ACCREDITATION: The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science Degree in Nursing (MSN) must be recognized by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and accredited by either of the following accrediting agencies at the time the program was completed by the applicant:

1. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) OR
2. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
3. ACEN/NLNAC or CCNE program or degree accreditation may also be found under the U.S. Department of Education

NOTES:

• Department of Education: 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/.
• Foreign Education: 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.
• School Name: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
• No longer on accreditation site: 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

IMPORTANT - Transcript: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Contacts

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