Summary

The Charles George VAMC is currently recruiting for one (1) Registered Nurse (Endoscopy) in Outpatient Care - Nursing Services. The GI/Endoscopy Lab is a multifaceted - fast paced unit providing a wide range of services including endoscopies - ERCP - endoscopic ultrasound and complex invasive procedures.

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/12998716
• 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: Current BLS - Current ACLS - Two (2) years recent GI Endoscopy RN experience - Certified in Gastroenterology (CGRN) or Critical Care (CCRN) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: his position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• 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 complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment.

Duties

• The major duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Provide direct patient care within the scope of GI nursing practice - focused case management - and coordination of patient care between services within the CGVAMC - demonstrating an organized and systematic process for problem solving and prioritizing the needed delivery of care
• Assess the patient's physical and mental status prior to examinations - procedures - and related care
• Provide education to the patient about the procedure - sedation - and after care
• Administer IV-medication providing Moderate Sedation for patients undergoing procedures
• Monitor and assess the sedated patient during procedures and recovery from Moderate Sedation after completion of procedures
• Assist the physician with the procedure including management of high-risk patients undergoing complex procedures - i.e. - ERCP
• Maintain proficiency on technical equipment and computer equipment related to GI/Endoscopy examinations - procedures - and related care
• Must have strong communication skills and be self-motivated with the ability to direct and educate patients about GI procedures
• Review patient charts and utilizes critical thinking skills and judgement when caring for patient during GI procedures
• Recognize and monitors age-specific and/or cultural needs of patients and modifies approach in planning of patient care
• Answer patient questions related to GI procedures
• Examine patient co-morbidities for safety concerns and the need for advanced care during procedures
• Identify special needs of patients including medication and equipment requirements for all GI procedures the unit offers
• Consistently complies with HIPPA Privacy Rules
• Recognizes and promptly reports suspected patient abuse
• Has knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations and initiate appropriate emergency interventions
• Ability to identify and respond to patient/family educational needs and the ability to teach patient in accordance with current gastrointestinal clinical practice of standards
• Consults and collaborates with other services within the VA Healthcare system
• Ability to work independently and utilize time management skills
• Strong computer use skills and telephone communication skills are necessary
• Must have the ability to multitask
• Must be able to adapt to changes that occur to the daily GI procedure schedule
• Correctly documents in medical record using VISTA /CPRS/ Outlook / Excel computer programs
• Knowledge of pertinent National Safety Goals
• Completes annual CGVAMC mandatory educational requirements - departmental competencies - and self-licensure requirements
• Actively seeks educational opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve performance
• Participates in research and departmental Performance Improvement activities when assigned
• Perform all duties 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: Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm with call requirements Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized