The Registered Nurse (RN) Primary Care Float Pool at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center will provide nursing care to patients who present with a full range of health issues, including but not limited to; diabetes, hypertension, COPD, congestive heart failure, cancer, and psychological disorders, as well as coexisting medical/surgical conditions.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Utilizes critical thinking skills and clinical decisional authority, prioritizes patient care by assessing the needs of the patient. Assesses clinical data for neurological, cardiac/vascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and skin and documents findings and reports abnormalities. Incorporates assessment findings into a patient specific treatment plan. Safely provides assessment and care for patients undergoing procedures, and treatments. Provides structure and maintains a therapeutic environment in collaboration with the client and other healthcare providers. Provides health teaching to clients, families, and groups to achieve satisfying and productive patterns of living. Coordinates care with other healthcare providers in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating treatment interventions. Performs medication and immunization administration safely, accurately, and per policy guidelines. Identifies patients at high risk for harm to self or others related to: mobility issues, disturbed/disruptive behavior, and/or withdrawal complications and provides them with appropriate treatment/follow-up. Assumes responsibility for telecare calls that can be handled by the RN, directing to the provider those calls that must have provider response. Serves as liaison with provider and patient and discusses concerns with the provider and calls the patient back. Reviews lab and test reports and alerts the provider of significant findings and assists the provider with appropriate follow up and treatment. Triages a rapid first assessment and documentation of the patient's condition by being sensitive to various medical symptoms that are apparent or by comprehensive, compassionate questioning to determine a history of symptoms. This would include type of symptoms, when they first appeared, intensity, any new medications or vitamins, and use of home remedies. The primary care nurse should obtain all the specifics for the provider to hasten a diagnosis. Identifies learning needs of the patient/family (diagnosis, medication, surgery, etc.) and implements teaching strategies or provides alternate methods of communication (e.g. dry erase boards, picture charts, etc.) to patients with learning difficulties. Understands the legal ethical implications of Patient Self Determination Act, Patient Bill of Rights, Advanced Directives, and Patient Abuse (protection). Serves as a resource for patients, families, and, other staff when ethical issues arise. Abides by and carefully adheres to Medical Center Policies for Ethics and Compliance. Pursues an educational plan (literature review, continuing education, in-service, certification, and formal education) to maintain/improve knowledge in up-to-date evidence-based practice. Actualizes the process of continuous learning to provide for own continuing professional growth. Demonstrates computer literacy. Provides practical solutions to patient problems/complaints. Preserves the right of others while serving as a patient advocate and promoting mutual respect among colleagues and co-workers. Uses customer feedback to improve customer service. Demonstrates leadership in safe work practices. (i.e. attention to safety standards, proper body mechanics, use of personal protective and safety equipment). Identifies potential problems involving resources and/or safety and takes action to avert or manage the situation. Adheres to all safety and health standards, regulations, and work practices and uses personal protective equipment as required. Functions as the team coordinator assuming overall responsibility of the team and ensuring optimal access to medical care. Demonstrates leadership in primary care by analyzing and utilizing primary care quality measures to improve patient outcomes. 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: 1930-0800 (to include nights, weekends and holidays) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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: 2-3 years of acute care nursing experience with additional preference given to those with Emergency Department, Mental Health, Critical Care, and/or Palliative Care 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/12487965. 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: Must be physically and mentally able to perform the following: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; straight pulling one (1) hour; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking seven (7) hours; standing seven (7) hours.

Contacts

• Address Fayetteville AR VA Medical Center 1100 North College Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72703 US
• Name: Lynsey Walker
• Phone: 5012312142
• Email: [email protected]