This position is located at Hines VA Hospital, 2 North Substance Use Disorder Domiciliary. The Registered Nurse (RN) assigned to the 2 North Substance Use Disorder Domiciliary is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the nursing process related to the administration and supervision of direct patient care. This position specifically involves serving as the admission nurse for the program. Additionally, as needed, this role will also include responsibilities as floor staff.

Duties

Adherence to established policies and guidelines is essential, and the RN collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes. The role of the Substance Treatment Program (STP) RN is to provide a safe and therapeutic environment, facilitate the management and stabilization of acute psychiatric crises, assess, evaluate, and treat medical detoxification from alcohol and drugs, assess Veterans who are at an increased risk for suicide, exhibit suicidal or homicidal behaviors and encourage Veteran engagement in treatment for mental illness and substance abuse. The RN can act as the preceptor within the unit, offering essential guidance to both students and new personnel in honing their problem-solving and decision-making abilities as they acclimate to the clinical environment. The role of the STP RN is to provide a safe and therapeutic environment, facilitate the management and stabilization of acute psychiatric crises, assess, evaluate, and treat medical detoxification from alcohol and drugs, assess Veterans who are at an increased risk for suicide, exhibit suicidal or homicidal behaviors and encourage Veteran engagement in treatment for mental illness and substance abuse. The STP RN maintains professional boundaries and displays courtesy, empathy, tact, and respect for patients, families, and co-workers. The STP RN participates in unit/program-level quality improvement processes, initiatives, and customer service programs. Functions competently as a team leader or charge nurse, collaborates with providers and interdisciplinary team members, makes assignments to ensure nursing care is delivered safely and appropriately, and provides adequate staffing for the current and oncoming shifts. Practices situational awareness, conducts ongoing assessment throughout the environment of care, remains calm in stressful situations, and applies appropriate PMDB de-escalation techniques. Acquires urine samples for urine drug screens and breathalyzer testing at admission and random intervals throughout the Veteran's residential treatment. Administers medications as assigned; knows medication uses, side effects, and dosage; checks for proper medication order; and documents medications according to policy. Maintains accurate electronic medical records (EMR) per Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Bar Coded Medication Administration (BCMA) software per policy, as well as any future patient documentation programs. The STP RN is responsible for ensuring that their actions contribute to a mode of continued accreditation readiness. During surveys, the STP RN can articulate standards of care, performance improvement data, best practices, policies, and procedures. The STP RN will seek opportunities to acquire and develop essential skills, participate in unit-based educational activities and staff meetings, complete assigned TMS modules, and meet VA and state licensure continuing education requirements. 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: Monday thru Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm; Candidate may be required to work on weekends and holidays as necessary to cover for the leave of other day shift staff members. Should you be needed during the weekends, a day off will be provided to you during the week. 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/12636928. 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: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements: To perform in a fully successful manner, the individual must have the physical ability to perform job-related duties which require lifting, standing, bending, transferring, stooping, stretching, walking, pushing, or pulling without assistance from another patient care provider or significant other. A health examination must be successfully completed prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Employee Health Clinic policy. There will be intermittent exposure to blood and body fluids. The health care field is a very changing spectrum which requires constant updating of knowledge. It is therefore important that the incumbent participates in continuing education that will enhance health care skills and knowledge. Other duties may be assigned in support of the facilities mission.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 Edward Hines Junior Hospital 5000 South 5th Avenue Hines, IL 60141 US
• Name: Irene Balas
• Phone: 708-640-4736
• Email: [email protected]