The Employee Occupational Health (EOH) Nurse is responsible for supporting and maintaining employee health and safety programs which ensure delivery of quality care provided to adult employees of the VA medical center. Maintain optimum health, prevent illness and injury, manage selected acute or chronic health problems and ensure compliance with all federal, local and state regulations related to Occupational Health practice. Position may involve travel to other VA sites and CBOCs.

Duties

Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising the delivery of care to employees. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs. Nursing care is provided by Registered Nurse (and LPN, select tasks as delegated). Nursing care encompasses a broad range of activities based on employee's needs. These may include tuberculosis screening at hire, referral for latent tuberculosis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and hepatitis B immune status at hire. As indicated follow-up counseling and testing after biohazard exposure, medical evaluation for respirator fit-testing, follow-up work related injury or illness, workplace health and safety risk analysis via Accident Review Board, wellness and health promotion activities via facility wellness committee. The EOH Nurse reports to the Specialty Clinics Nurse Manager. Tuberculosis Complete tuberculosis screening on all prospective employees and volunteers and ongoing screening according to risk assessments, following current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and facility policy Screens prior to employment and volunteering - Symptom Screen-and-QuantiFERON -TB blood draw Screens and documents - pre-employment, periodic, post-exposure; Track and trend exposures, conversions, for compliance report to Infection Control. Perform Respirator Medical Evaluation via Questionnaire review under direction of Medical Provider; provides necessary information to Industrial Hygienist Infectious Disease Screening Assess immune status and administer vaccination in accordance with CDC guidelines and facility policy. Influenza, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR), Varicella (chickenpox), Tetanus (Td or Tdap) Collaborates with Infection Control to control exposures to diseases such as influenza, shingles, MRSA, C. Difficile, norovirus, conjunctivitis, COVID-19 and environmental vermin such as bed bugs, scabies, lice. Manages medical surveillance screening for Animal Handlers. Influenza and Covid Program Coordinates influenza vaccine program for employees and volunteers Coordinate Employee flu clinics (scheduled and walk-in) Member of facility Flu Planning Committee Provides support for COVID programs Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Control Evaluates and coordinates BBP exposure cases, including assessment, treatment and follow up Post-exposure prophylaxis, Consult with ID if indicated Chairs Needle stick Prevention Sub-Committee, monthly meetings, where BBP exposure events are analyzed and steps to prevent are discussed; reports rates, trends and actions to Nurse Practice Council and Infection Control Committee Work-related Injury and Illness Triages urgent needs for appropriate evaluation and treatment Provides case management services for injured employees & volunteers Coordinates with Safety Manager and Human Resource Worker's Compensation Specialist during weekly Accident Review Board to develop and implement strategies to prevent work-related injury or illness and expedite return to work Employee Wellness, Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Accepts rotation in leadership role on the Employee Wellness Committee Identifies and refers employees with personal health needs as appropriate Medical Records Documents in OHRS as functionally useful Administers appropriate role-based access to OHRS Policy. Procedure & Protocols Review & revise: protocols, policy -- Participate in the development of policies and procedures that affect the health and safety of employees Committee Membership Participate in hospital committees, such as Infection Control, Needle stick Prevention, Flu Planning, Accident Review Board, Wellness, Ergonomics, Emergency Management 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 Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0730-1600 Telework: Not Authorized 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.) Preferred Experience: BSN degree preferred Employee Health experience preferred 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/12648725. 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: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must comply with any Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. This includes but is not limited to moderate carrying/lifting; walking and/or standing for up to six hours at time; and kneeling and repeated bending throughout shift.

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 William S Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital 2500 Overlook Terrace Madison, WI 53705 US
• Name: John Wade
• Phone: (646) 884-2038
• Email: [email protected]