Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines.

Duties

The Dialysis Vascular Access RN performs in a specialized area of nursing that focuses on managing a caseload of renal outpatient and inpatients through close coordination of care with multiple team members. The role requires comprehensive knowledge of the hospital system, and community resources, familiarity with personnel in multiple departments, the ability to relate well with patients and families in stressful situations, and the ability to advocate for the best interest of the patients with all clinical staff. Responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants, as appropriate to the setting. The nurse will assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, and competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation. The nurse has advanced knowledge and skills in assessing, inserting, caring for, and managing vascular access devices, including peripheral intravenous catheters, midlines, and peripherally inserted central catheters. They have the advanced knowledge to maintain Central Venous Access Devices. Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. Evaluates practice in an ongoing process, based on best evidence. Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement. Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals. Contributes professional nursing perspective in discussions with the interdisciplinary team. Partners with others to effect change and produce optimal outcomes. Supports colleagues through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care. Shares educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers. Questions clinical practices to provide evidence-based care. Participates in activities and strategies to sustain an evidence-based practice culture. This nurse has experience with the situations in which they are ultimately expected to perform, integrating theoretical concepts, and strong critical thinking skills, and exhibits a robust technically skilled practice. Assesses care coordinator identifies the vascular access needs of the patient with renal failure. Procedures, delivers, and coordinates services for the patient in the dialysis facility, outpatient clinic, and hospital setting. Provides for ongoing monitoring of the vascular access to ensure adequate dialysis is obtained, maximum life of the access is achieved and plan for the future intervention area coordinated when necessary. Collaborates with the Vascular Access surgeon and clinics in the coordination, management, and outcomes of patients requiring vascular access for dialysis. When assigned the Vascular Access Care Coordinator nurse collaborates with the Transplant Program and is responsible for screening potential donors and working closely with the medical team and transport services. The Dialysis Vascular Access Care Coordinator nurse possesses a strong core knowledge base in nursing and has expanded clinical knowledge in the area of nursing expertise. RN staff focuses on providing and arranging for the education of patients approaching End Stage Renal Disease, preparedness and education for permanent vascular access, and preparedness for modalities of dialysis. The role requires extensive knowledge of all forms of renal replacement therapy and experience of dialysis therapy. The Dialysis Vascular Access care coordinator nurse is responsible for collaborating with services internal and external to the VA to facilitate care transition to effectively meet the patient's needs. RN staff provides professional assessment, coordination, and planning of health care services, and acts on behalf of the veteran to ensure the necessary clinical services are received and that progress is being made. Creates a positive work environment that enhances care delivery and the professional development of clinically competent staff. The nurse acts to ensure patient and employee safety. The nurse participates in performance improvement activities, that include regulatory and accreditation survey activities. RN staff is accountable for adhering to established policies for standards of care and standards of practice. The Dialysis Vascular Access may provide direct patient care in the renal care scenario (dialysis, inpatient, outpatient) in renal procedures, assist with various performance improvement goals in the hemodialysis department, and provide direct patient care in the renal clinic including assessing, planning, documenting health promotion and preventive care as needed. Work Schedule: Day Shift based on needs 7:00am-3:30 pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized 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. 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/12611540. 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: (See Additional Information) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This position involves lifting, moving and transporting patients, assist with transferring patients from wheelchair to to stretcher or radiology suite table and vice versa. Also assist with transferring patients to wheelchairs and/or may need to escort a patient to other areas. This position involves exposure to blood borne pathogens, fine manipulation, standing, walking, bending, crouching and reaching patients. It requires dealing with the acutely ill, with patients who may display disturbed behaviors, and with stressful situations. Moving patients and weighing patients in excess of 50 kg. or more. Wearing of a respirator may be required at times in the performance of the duties of this position. When required to use respirator, employee cannot have facial hair or any condition that interferes with the face to face piece seal or valve function of the respirator. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Contacts

• Address San Juan VA Medical Center 10 Calle Casia San Juan, PR 00921 US
• Name: Luis Burgos-Pena
• Email: [email protected]