The Acute Pain Service Expansion Program (APSEP) Acute and Chronic Pain Service Advanced Practice Nurse (APRN) is a member of the Anesthesia Service who works under direction of the APS Section Chief. The APRN collaborates with other members of the APS team to care for patients with acute and acute-on-chronic pain conditions.

Duties

Duties may include: Assess preoperative surgical patients and manage postoperative pain for inpatients and outpatients Evaluate and complete consults, including assessment and plans of patients with acute and chronic pain conditions Facilitate perioperative flow of patients on day of surgery Assist with regional anesthesia procedures Management of PCA, peripheral nerve catheter infusions, and epidural infusions under the supervision of the APS attending physician Management of intravenous infusions Provide continuity of care by participating in daily bedside rounds Educate patients regarding regional anesthesia techniques, medications, fall preventions, and other patient care modalities Document all aspects of patient care in a timely and accurate manner Perform other related duties as determined by the attending physician or by the APS Section Chief Work closely with mental health, primary care, surgeons, and other medical providers to coordinate pain management goals Outpatient management of post-operative pain medications including phone calls and clinic visits Works closely with the rest of the APS and CPS members VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am -4:00pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. Education. A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (NOTE: the post-master's certificate is formal education awarded from an acceptable school of professional nursing and is not considered board certification). 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. Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent Nurse Practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active and unrestricted registration and certification (see paragraph 2c) will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment. Licensure and Certification. The following licensure and certification requirements are considered conditions of employment. License. All APNs (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full and unrestricted APN license to practice as a NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Basic Certification. (a) All APNs (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC); The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB); or Other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic qualification requirements, the grade level of an APN (NP) is based on a combination of education and experience. Beyond the minimum education requirements, grade determination for appointment will be based on the following specific requirement for an APN (NP). APN (Nurse Practitioner) II: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP). APN (Nurse practitioner) III: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND One year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level. Preferred Experience: Nurse Practitioner certification and/or experience and expertise in pain management is preferred. Strong clinical knowledge of acute and chronic pain in surgical and non-surgical pain states. 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 pounds and over); Moderate Lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Pushing (2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking (1-4 hours); Standing (1-4 hours); Repeated bending (1-2 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Specific visual requirement (see computer screen); Mental and emotional stability. Environmental Factors: Outside and inside; Constant noise; Dust; Fume, smoke or gases; working closely with others and Working alone.

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.

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.)

Note: 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.

Contacts

• Address VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Melody Laughlin
• Phone: 253-583-1173
• Email: [email protected]