Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies (VA, 2013). The Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) is a NOVICE graduate nurse with, upon hiring, little or no experience of the situations in which they are ultimately expected to perform.

Duties

In this first year, the novice is "taught about situations in terms of objective attributes and measurable parameters of a patient's condition, features of the task world that can be recognized without situational experience. While a novice brings principles and theory, context- dependent judgments and skill can only be acquired in real situations" (Benner, 1982). The Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) has successfully completed a full pre-licensure curriculum of nursing at an accredited College of Nursing approved by the State and is pending licensure as a Registered Nurse. A GNT will be assigned the same duties as defined in a Nurse 1/Level 1 Registered Nurse but will always be assigned with a Preceptor RN. Until he/she becomes a Registered Nurse. A GNT may administer medications (except IV Push Medications) under the direct supervision of the Precepting RN. The GNT will not have Pyxis access until such time as he/she becomes a Registered Nurse. 1. The function of the GNT is to provide, direct, and supervise the delivery of quality nursing care to a culturally diverse Veteran population. 2. The GNT is learning to apply all aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting. The GNT is applying knowledge learned to manage acute and chronic illnesses, assist Veterans in the attainment of optimal levels of functioning through rehabilitation, and provide supportive measures for the dying patient and their significant others. 3. The GNT possesses the basic knowledge and skills necessary to: a. Communicate and interact appropriately and courteously with internal and external customers. b. Maintain confidentiality of patient/employee information electronically, verbally, and written. c. Work and function within a safe manner including infection control and operation of equipment. d. Utilize nursing research and literature in daily practice. 4. Competency is evaluated in each of the following areas: a. Practice: Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates nursing care for assigned patients at a beginning level. This includes technical skills, equipment utilization, and unit specific requirements. b. Professional Development: Takes responsibility for attending all orientation classes and mastering required competencies. c. Collaboration: Provides patient care in collaboration with other health care workers d. Scientific Inquiry: Uses evidence-based practice in providing patient care. Uses scientific principles and sound judgment in providing nursing care. 5. The GNT must maintain current BLS certification and complete ACLS certification within the first 6-12 months depending on the unit assigned. 6. Other duties as assigned by the supervisor. 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: 1930 to 0800 every other weekend 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: Associate Degree in Nursing, Diploma in Nursing, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing Current or Recent Mental Health 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 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. 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Edward Hines Junior Hospital 5000 South 5th Avenue Hines, IL 60141 US
• Name: Irene Balas
• Phone: 708-640-4736
• Email: [email protected]