This Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) is open to any Current, Permanent employees of the VA Amarillo Texas Health Care System. Applications will expire after 90 days. Employees using this announcement must update their applications every 90 days

Duties

**This is an Open Continuous Announcement for current, permanent employees of VA Amarillo Health Care System for consideration when vacancies occur for Registered Nurses.** Applications will expire after 90 days. Employees using this announcement must update their applications every 90 days. As the Registered Nurse, you will use professional standards of care and practice to evaluate self, programs, and service activities. You will maintain knowledge of current techniques, trends, and professional issues. You will use group process to identify, analyze, and resolve care problems. Duties of the position include but are limited to; Initiate/participate in Patient Safety activities that result in improved outcomes. Implement an educational plan to meet changing program or service needs. Educate colleagues and serve as a preceptor and/or mentor on patient safety initiatives and standards. Support and enhance client self-determination. Serve as a resource for clients and staff in addressing ethical issues. Participate in ethics consultations. Collaborate with others in research activities to improve care. Identify and assess resource utilization and safety issues, taking appropriate action. Work Schedule: Varies based on specific positions. Compressed/Flexible: May be available based on specific positions. Telework: May be available based on specific positions. Remote/Virtual: May be available based on specific positions Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Education Debt Reduction Program: May be authorized for some positions, and is dependent on availability of funds at the time of selection. Bargaining Unit Status: This position is part of the bargaining unit.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), 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 the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited 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); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who 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 temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). 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. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12295297. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. 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: May include any of the following; Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, Light Lifting, under 15 pounds, Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over, Light carrying, under 15 pounds, Straight pulling (8-12 hours), Pulling hand over hand (8-12 hours), Pushing (8-12 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (8-12 hours), Standing (8-12 hours), Crawling (8-12 Hours), Kneeling (8-12 Hours), Repeated bending (8-12 hours), Climbing, legs only (8-12 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, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Specific visual requirements (specify), Both eyes required, Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of color, Hearing (aid permitted), Hearing without aids, Mental and Emotional stability required, Strong legs, no skin allergies, Sitting (8 hours) Simple grasping (2-4 hours), Fine manipulation (including keyboarding 4-6 hours) Twisting (2 hours) Strong legs, no skin allergies 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. The incumbent must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

Education

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 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

Contacts

• Address Thomas E Creek VA Medical Center 6010 Amarillo Boulevard, West Amarillo, TX 79106 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]