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

The Marion VA Health Care System is seeking three (3) full-time Registered Nurse's to join the 3 Medical/Surgical Unit within Nursing Service located in Marion, IL. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as this is a 24/7 hospital. The incumbent may be required to rotate tours and duties during low/high census or complete administrative tasks established by the immediate supervisor. The incumbent should possess good organizational skills which enable completion of work, a demonstrated ability to assume leadership in a patient centered program, and the ability to establish effective communication with patients, families, visitors, and members of the interdisciplinary team. The incumbent delivers care in accordance with established standards and hospital policies and procedures, as well as accepts responsibility and maintains accountability for own actions and for professional and personal growth. PLEASE NOTE: These positions require Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications due to having 24-hour telemetry monitoring capability. If selected, Applicants will provide proof of current certifications prior to employment. Only BLS certification which included Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and ACLS certification obtained from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or the Military Treatment Training Network (MTN) will be accepted. 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: Primarily night shift (7:30 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.) with 12 hour tours to include weekend and holiday rotation as scheduled. There are six (6) 12 hour shifts and one eight (8) hour shift per pay period. 72/80 shifts are also made available once orientation is complete. Compressed/Flexible: 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

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: Citizen of the United States in accordance with section 7402(c) to title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English. Education: Graduate of a school of professional nursing accredited by The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Licensure and Certification. All Nurses must possess and maintain an active, current, full and unrestricted license as a Nurse to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. GRADE REQUIREMENTS Recency and Quality of Experience. Recency or quality of training and experience as a nurse should be carefully reviewed when determining the appropriate grade. To be creditable, specialized experience requirements must be met for each level and/or grade. Nurses must successfully advance through each grade/level from Nurse I through Nurse III. Any nurse meeting the basic qualification requirements for Nurse IV or V may apply for a position at these grades. Experience. To be creditable, experience must demonstrate possession of the following dimensions of practice requirements identified for each grade level: Grade Determination. In addition to the basic qualification requirements, the grade level of Nurse (any assignment) is based on a combination of education and experience. Beyond the minimum education requirements, graded determination for appointment, advancement and promotion will be based on the following specific requirement for Nurses: Nurse I Level 1 Diploma or associate degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience. Nurse I Level 2 Diploma or associate degree in nursing and 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I Level 1. or Bachelor's degree in nursing and no professional nursing experience. Nurse I Level 3 Diploma or associate degree in nursing and 2 years of professional nursing experience, 1 of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2. or Bachelor's degree in nursing and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2. or Master's degree in nursing and no professional nursing experience. or Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience. Nurse II Bachelor's degree in nursing and 2 years of professional nursing experience, 1 of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3. or Master's degree in nursing with 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to a Nurse I, Level 3. or Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3. or Doctorate degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience. or Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience. Nurse III Master's degree in nursing with 2 years of specialized nursing experience, 1 of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. or Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with 2 years of specialized nursing experience, 1 of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. or Doctorate degree in nursing with 1 year of specialized nursing experience which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. or Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing with 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirement for Nurse III. Preferred Experience: One year of medical/surgical care experience from an inpatient setting within the last five (5) years. Experience with cardiac rhythm interpretation is preferred and BSN preferred. 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: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Moderate Lifting (15 - 44 lbs); Light Lifting (under 15 lbs); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over); Moderate Carrying (15 - 44 lbs); Light Carrying (under 15 lbs); Pushing (up to 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 5 hours); Standing (up to 3 hours); Repeated bending (up to 2 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted).

Education

(1) Education Accreditation Requirement. Nursing education must be from a school of professional nursing accredited by one of the following accrediting organizations at the time the program was completed by the applicant:

• (a) The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326. The ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs, including clinical doctorate, masters/post master's certificate, baccalaureate, associate and diploma nursing education programs. (Note: The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission/NLNAC changed its name to ACEN in May 2013. ACEN's website may be utilized to verify accredited programs using automated inquiry processes; however, for verification of any nursing program's accreditation prior to 1998, an automated inquiry cannot be used and ACEN must be contacted directly via their email contact information on the ACEN website to verify.); or

• (b) The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 7, Washington, DC 20001. The CCNE is an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and accredits nursing education programs at the bachelor and master's level.

(2) Nursing Bridge Programs. Nursing bridge programs are accelerated nurse education programs which rely upon existing nursing knowledge and education. Graduates from nursing bridge programs that meet accreditation requirements specific grade level requirements in this standard must also be met in addition to the following:

• (a) Master's Level Bridge Program Education Appointments Prior to Graduation. Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who achieve the level in their education in which they have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on a II-G6-2 January 29, 2024 VA HANDBOOK 5005/160 PART II APPENDIX G6 temporary basis for any period up to three years contingent upon full completion of the professional nursing education program, if education verification provided by the school supports the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) equivalency. Upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program, the Nurse may be converted to a permanent appointment under the provisions of section 7401(a)(1) of title 38. Failure to complete the bridge program on which the temporary appointment was based will result in termination of the appointment.

(3) Additional Education Requirement for Nurse (Clinical Nurse Leader) Assignments. In addition to the basic requirements, a Nurse (Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)) must possess a bachelor's level degree in nursing and a master's degree from an accredited CNL education program. (See certification requirement in 3c.(2) of this appendix).

(4) Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing who possess a current, full, active and unrestricted registration (see paragraph 3c) will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associate degree level Nursing education program. In order to grant credit towards an appointment based on foreign nursing education higher than the associate degree level, formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency accepted by VA such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD) must be obtained.

(5) Degree in a Related Field. A graduate level or doctorate degree in health care/management related fields from an institution accredited by the State and approved by the Department of Education at the time the candidate completed the program may be credited as specifically indicated in grade requirements. The graduate level or doctorate degree and coursework must provide evidence in support of the nursing role and duties associated with the assignment and grade level. Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees

Contacts

• Address Marion VA Medical Center 2401 West Main Street Marion, IL 62959 US
• Name: Wendi Evans
• Phone: 618-922-5032
• Email: [email protected]