VA NWIHCS is an integrated system that serves more than 148,000 Veterans in 101 counties in Nebraska, western Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. It includes a tertiary medical center in Omaha, 2 larger clinics in Lincoln and Grand Island (which includes a Community Living Center), 5 community-based outpatient clinics, and one contract clinic.

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. Nebraska Western Iowa VA Health Care System is currently seeking a CRNA to join Surgical Care which includes general surgery, vascular surgery, ophthalmology, audiology, cardiology, dentistry, orthopedics, podiatry, and urology. Special procedure anesthesia care is also provided to other service lines. The incumbent ensures quality and timeliness of services provided, customer satisfaction, and compliance with standards of accrediting bodies such as Joint Commission and Inspector General's Combined Assessment Program. CRNA is authorized to perform routine duties on a regular, repetitive basis. These duties include, but are not restricted to: Provision of care in the most complex surgical procedures. Perform and document a preanesthetic evaluation of the patient before surgery including requesting consultations, additional diagnostic and/or laboratory studies within the scope of practice, consulting with the anesthesiologist for further preoperative work up when necessary. Initiation of the planned anesthetic technique that may include general, regional, MAC, or local anesthesia. Interventions include administration of fluids, medications, ventilator support, provision of homeostasis, provision of adequate pain relief and management of anesthesia and surgical side effects. Induction of general anesthesia and initial airway management. Endotracheal intubation for surgical or procedural cases. Placement of endobronchial tubes or blockers for procedures requiring one lung ventilation or lung isolation. Central line placement; Pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz) catheter placement Peripheral nerve blocks. Central neuroaxial blocks. Epidural blood patches. Adjustment of anesthetic drugs and techniques utilized in the maintenance of anesthesia. Sedation for field blocks or MAC as discussed in the anesthetic care plan. Manages emergence from anesthesia and transition to the post anesthesia care unit. Provide anesthetic for: electroconvulsive therapy not requiring intubation; routine eye surgery not requiring general anesthesia; elective cardioversions; ICD checks. May participate on the Code Blue Team, primarily to manage the patient's airway, but also to perform other tasks which they are qualified to perform, as directed by the Code Team Leader. Emergency airway management throughout the facility, following the ASA Difficult Airway Algorithm and department protocols, as requested. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0800-1630, Rotating On Call schedule/Weekend coverage. Additional information may be provided during the interview process.

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: Education. A masters or doctoral degree in nurse anesthesia. (1) Education Accreditation Requirement. Nursing education must be from a school of professional nursing anesthesia accredited by the following accrediting organization at the time the program was completed by the applicant: (a) The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs (COA). The COA is currently located at 222 South Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068. Additional information may be obtained from the COA website at Council on Accreditation - Supporting Quality Assessment and Improvement in Nurse Anesthesia Education (coacrna.org). Licensure and Certification: The following licensure and certification requirements are considered conditions of employment. (1) License. All APNs (CNAs) must maintain an active, current, full and unrestricted license to practice as a CNA or equivalent, in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia. (2) Basic Certification. All APNs (CNAs) must maintain full and current Certification by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) or an equivalent Nurse Anesthetist certification recognized by the COA. (3) Impaired Licensure and Certification. Human Resources office staff must appoint APN (CNA) in accordance with the provisions in chapter 3, section B, paragraph 15 of this part, who have or have ever had, any license or certification revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited or issued/placed in a probationary status. Exception to Licensure for Graduate Certified Nurse Anesthetist. (a) Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required CNA licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Nurse Anesthetist on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B). (b) Nurse Anesthetists must take the national certification examination at the earliest opportunity following the date of their temporary appointment. (c) In all cases, Nurse Anesthetists must actively pursue and obtain required licensure and certification within a year and a day and sign a statement of understanding. (d) Failure to achieve licensure and certification within this period will result in separation from service with two-week's notice. Grade Determinations: Entry Level: (Nurse II) (a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. The following list of knowledge, skills and abilities present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level Nurse Anesthetist. Entry level into nurse anesthesia practice may include but are not limited to the following: 1. Ability to translate the principles of professional nursing practice in the care of assigned patients in order to provide appropriate care. 2. Ability to do a pre-anesthetic patient history and physical, which includes collecting pre-operative consults and data. 3. Ability to formulate an anesthetic plan and describe the anesthetic risks, benefits and options to the patient. 4. Ability to administer inhalation, regional, intravenous, local, and topical anesthetics and to detect unfavorable reactions in order to continuously evaluate the patient's physical status. 5. Ability to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and using appropriate resuscitation procedures for patient care. 6. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession. 7. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care. 8. Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues and peers utilizing a collaborative team concept of anesthesia care. Full Performance Level: (Nurse III) Experience and Education. Basic requirements plus progressively responsible experience in the administration of anesthetics as indicated in the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below. These individuals must demonstrate the ability to participate in a program for nurse anesthesia care and demonstrate knowledge of anesthetizing locations, methods, equipment and procedures. At this level, the CRNA has experience in the administration of anesthetics that has demonstrated the nurse anesthetist's ability to participate in team programs that are technically challenging and/or complicated. Typically, candidates can demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities of Full Performance Level within 2 years from entering the occupation. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Skill in conducting and managing anesthesia for a broad range of complex surgical procedures. In addition, the CRNA must be able to adapt/modify anesthesia techniques in order to optimize patient care. 2. Ability to complete work assignments selected to add depth and breadth to their technical knowledge and skill competence. Work assignments will vary at each facility depending on the progressive acuity required for anesthesia care. 3. Ability to respond to emergency situations by providing airway management, administration of emergency fluids and drugs, and by the use of basic or advanced cardiac life support techniques in order to perform necessary resuscitation procedures. 4. Ability to effectively blend technology, skills, and competency for the advancement of anesthesia techniques, pharmacology, and equipment. 5. Ability to apply new developments and theories to develop and demonstrate the ability to recognize and solve various complex anesthesia situations. 6. Ability to practice nurse anesthesia with colleagues and peers in a team concept of anesthesia care and blend management skills with technical experience. 7. Ability to recognize clinical and technical aspects of anesthesia care and has in-depth knowledge of anesthesia methods and techniques for the practice of anesthesia. 8. Ability to perform as a mentor, preceptor, or nurse educator providing didactic and clinical instruction for graduate-level nurse anesthesia students and/or other anesthesia care providers. 9. Ability to participate in the development of anesthesia patient care audit processes involving in depth review and analysis of anesthesia records. 10. Ability to provide guidance and instruction in preparing others for positions of leadership and ethical practices which impact patient care. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G6d Advanced Practice Nurse (Certified Nurse Anesthetist) Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of VN-2 to VN-3. Physical Requirements: The position will require walking, standing or sitting for periods of up to or beyond 10 to 12 hours each day.

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.

Contacts

• Address VA Nebraska-Western Iowa HCS - Omaha 4101 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, NE 68105 US
• Name: Yolanda Young
• Phone: 612-467-4964
• Email: [email protected]