This nurse provides health promoŸon, health educaŸon and coaching on wellness, disease prevenŸon, and chronic care management. Collaborates in the development, implementaŸon, evaluaŸon, and revision of policies, procedures, and/or guidelines. Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for the Primary Care Department and facility.

Duties

The Rapid Response Registered Nurse is an EXPERT nurse who is responsible for responding to Rapid Response calls. The Rapid Response Nurse (RRN) is a member of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) who provides rapid response to patients exhibiting objective or subjective signs of clinical instability. The Rapid Response Nurse will utilize their clinical expertise to identify patients to prevent adverse clinical outcomes including cardiac arrest and death. The position may also provide direct care, collaborate with patients, families, peers, physicians, and other members of the health care team in the delivery of health care services. The two main functions of the rapid response system are as follows: Recognition of urgent patient needs and initiation of RRT response for assessment, intervention, and patient triage. Responsibilities: 1. Maintain open lines of communication with the Nursing Supervisor/RRT Provider during emergency responses. 2. Utilize knowledge, skills, and critical thinking to focus on the patient's clinical needs. 3. Evaluate and facilitate, with RRT Provider, treatment plan for RRT patients. 4. Utilize standardized order set to treat the patient as required. 5. Demonstrates compliance with Code of Conduct and compliance policies and acts to resolve compliance questions or concerns and report suspected violations. 6. Assesses, utilizing age specific data, the patient's physical, psychosocial, and spiritual status in a comprehensive manner. 7. Demonstrates accurate assessment skills, appropriate to the age of the patient, based on scientific facts and principles. 8. Implements plan of care according to identified physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs. 9. Implements and utilizes the Relationship-Based Care Professional Practice Model as the guide to all interactions between patients, families, co-workers, staff, physicians, and self. 10. Assists other staff in the delivery of patient care, as appropriate. 11. Incorporates patient teaching/plan of care to promote optimal patient outcomes. 12. Recognizes, accepts responsibility for, and maintains commitment to professional development and clinical competency. 13. Articulates knowledge and actively participates in nursing practice quality initiatives. 14. Shares knowledge and acts as a professional resource to other members of the health care team. 15. Assists with quality monitoring and data collection of Rapid Response and Code Blue occurrences. 16. Functions as a resource for staff throughout the Primary Care/WH Unit, striving for quality improvement. 17. Supports all patient care areas throughout Primary Care/WH as appropriate. 18. Competent in reading and interpreting ECG strips; and identifying abnormal and lethal rhythm. 19. Able to communicate and initiates referrals to other disciplines and/or services as appropriate. 20. Maintains knowledge and understanding of The Joint Commission (TJC) requirements and ensures compliance with VA, TJC and (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) OSHA standards. 21. Performs all other duties as assigned. 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: 8:00 am to 4:45 pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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/12519292. 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: BSN preferred One year of full-time, successful recent RN practice in an RN role 1 Year triage in ICU, Med Surgery, CCU, Telemetry, and Primary Care Technology savvy in EMR, computer and telephones 1 Year experience in PACT and/or Medical Home Model Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The position requires heavy lifting and carrying (45 pounds and over), straight pulling (1 hour), pulling hand over hand (0.5 hours), pushing (6 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (8-12 hours), standing (8-12 hours), crawling (1 hour), kneeling (1 hour), repeated bending (1 hour), climbing (legs only, 1 hour), 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, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted), mental and emotional stability.

Education

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission On Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Verification of accreditation may be obtained from http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm or https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp

If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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.

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 El Paso VA Clinic 5001 North Piedras Street El Paso, TX 79930 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]