The Registered Nurse - Nurse Officer of the Day must be poised & articulate in communicating with people of varied educational levels and varied ethnic backgrounds. Willing to work cooperatively as a member of a team in all assignments. Makes caring for the veteran his/her priority while in the work setting and demonstrates customer service principles in all aspects of work.

Duties

Assess nursing units for adequate staffing for each shift and adjust as needed according to policy Uses NHPPD and acuity to guide staffing needs. Will reach out to intermittent, part time, or full time staff to cover staffing gaps. Utilizes hospital practice for OT, CTE, CTU, SL, and unplanned AL with appropriate entry into Acustaf Coordinates patient transfers as needed for Fee-Basis care, inter-facility and intra-facility care when needed, after securing COS approval. Delivers equipment from Logistics and Prosthetics during non-business hours. Obtain supplies for units as needed including crash cart exchange and cleaning. Calls VA Police for behavior problems of patients or staff. Supports patient care in Nursing Service Units when needed. Resolves communication issues, and conflicts between staff, family members, and physicians. Notifies executive leadership of pertinent emergency patient or facility issues (i.e., diversion, emergency situations, etc.) and follows facility policy. Reports employee accidents and illness to Nurse Manager and oncoming NOD and has employee initiate ECOMP. Assists with patients who have CHF diagnosis and requiring Cardiac Tele-Health with equipment set up upon discharge Ensures a safe environment that protects patients and staff from injury, abuse, harassment, and information intrusion of privacy. Reports all incidents and enters into 24 hour report. Advocates for ethical decision-making on behalf of patients and staff. Utilizes 24 Hour report to ensure adequate information is readily available for Morning Report. Follows facility Emergency Management Plan-including activation of specific annexes according to situation (i.e., fire, tornado, snow conditions, hostage situation, bomb threat, etc.) Utilizes the Night Pyxis/Cabinet appropriately during the off tour hours and notifies Pharmacy for call back situations including non-protocol admixtures. Responds to ALL emergency calls (i.e., Code Blue & Rapid Response) and assists as needed. Places results in 24 Hour Report. Locates Contingency packets during time of computer downtime and assists nursing units in implementation. Appropriately utilizes call back lists during off tour hours for areas such as Surgery/Endoscopy/Radiology, etc. Reviews and monitors note compliance for nursing personnel. Completes audits on low use, high risk (restraints). Adequately obtains equipment and supplies needed to provide Home Oxygen for patients as needed. Investigates complaints of Abuse/Neglect, follows directions according to MCM (Abuse/Neglect). Ensures adequate completion of JPSRs, Incident Reports, ECOMP, and all other pertinent reports as needed; and entered in 24 Hour Report. Coordinate all deaths with the business office, AOD, physicians, nursing staff, funeral homes, and assists with post mortem care. Coordinate TAPS ceremony. Coordinate staffing huddles during normal tours with all management twice daily. On off tours collaborate with on call nurse manager for facility issues that arise. Reviews and follows MCM 05-02-0117 Leave Policy Reviews and follows Policy No. 118-NS-39-0519 Dress Code for Nursing Service Personnel Reviews and follows Policy No. 118-NS-13-0518 Nursing Service Professionalism Policy Reviews and follows MCM 118-28-0419 Handling and Storage of Patient Effects Reviews and follows MCM 11-03-0819 Health Status and Impaired Employee Program Reviews and follows MCM 117-02-0819 Follow-up After Accidental Exposure to Blood or Body Fluids. The Nursing Office of the Day (NOD) does not have any direct reports. The NOD is an extension of leadership during all tours. 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: 1830 - 0700 or 0630 - 1900 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Nott Authorized Bargaining Unit Status: This position is not 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. 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. 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/12498298. 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. Preferred Experience: One year of RN experience is required BSN Preferred. Current ACLS/BLS Certification required. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This position may require potentially long periods of continued moderate lifting of 15-44 pounds, Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, Straight pulling for 3 hours, Pushing for 3 hours, Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking for 8 hours, Standing for 3.5 hours, Kneeling for 0.5 hours, Repeated bending 1 hour Ability, Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid permitted).

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]