The Central Iowa VA is hiring for a RN assigned to Specialty Care at the Fort Dodge VA.

Duties

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. The Hematology/Oncology Care Manager (CM) is a professional Registered Nurse (RN) who is self-directed and possesses effective skills in clinical assessment, critical thinking, problem resolution, and interpersonal relations and communication. They demonstrate leadership in coordinating comprehensive and continuous patient-centered holistic care through active collaboration, communication, and coordination of VA and community resources and services to Hem/Onc patients. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Uses the nursing process and evidence-based practice to be proficient in managing acutely ill, chronically ill, and clinically complex outpatients via telephone, home telehealth, secure messaging, and during clinic visits. Works in unison with the interdisciplinary care team in promoting a patient centered culture that assures that quality health care services are provided to all Veterans promptly, safely, courteously, and compassionately. Appropriately involves family members and/or caregivers and is integrally involved in the activities, goals for all Veterans, and is professionally collaborative. Provides appropriate services to patients who call the department with health concerns and communicates with Hem/Onc providers, Home Health Care, Hospice, nursing homes and private healthcare providers/nurses as indicated to assure continuity of patient care. Provides telephone care, advice, and/or follow-up. Provides direct patient care including, but not limited to: provider ordered follow-ups, chronic disease management, and covering in the Infusion Clinic. Works in partnership with provider to provide chronic disease management for a variety of disease processes. Provides initial and ongoing assessment of patients to identify needs issues, care goals and appropriate resources necessary for case management/care coordination. Supports the Infusion Clinic when needed and works independently with minimal supervision utilizing nursing skills, knowledge, and abilities to include but not limited to: administering therapeutic measures as prescribed by the medical provider, such as medication, infusions, intravenous fluids (IV), blood transfusions, IV antibiotics, accessing central lines and Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) lines, and other central ports. Observes for allergic or hypersensitive reactions to medications administered and takes appropriate action should either occur. Administers chemotherapeutic agents according to provider orders and established protocols. Collaborates with providers and other health team professionals to implement the plan of care. Ensures patient care management, adherence to protocols and completion of appropriate documentation of infusion, chemotherapy or other medications. Checks appropriate laboratory data prior to drug administration and notifies provider of results. Anticipates complications of chemotherapy and takes action to prevent or minimize complications. Educates patients on all aspects of self care and treatment process. Maintains Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Chemotherapy & Biotherapy course certification. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday/ 40 Hours Weekly Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required.

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. 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). 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. Preferred Experience: BSN Recent Hematology/Oncology experience Successful completion of Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Chemotherapy & Biotherapy course Able to work autonomously 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/12356388. 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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/

Contacts

• Address VA Central Iowa Health Care System 3600 30th St Des Moines, IA 50310 US
• Name: Jamie Purviance
• Phone: 515-699-5900
• Email: [email protected]