Registered Nurse - Community Living Center

Full Job Description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. 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/12879815.

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 visual acuity, keen hearing, clear and articulate speech, and manual dexterity.

It involves potential prolonged periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing up to 35 pounds, in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Program Directive 2010-032.

Responsibilities may include transferring patients and objects, with mechanical inpatient lifts provided for assistance.

The incumbent may be exposed to infectious patients and contaminated materials and may need to wear protective clothing in isolation environments, during operative or invasive procedures, or in home settings.

Occasionally, there may be exposure to patients who exhibit combative behavior due to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric conditions.

The ideal candidate will be mature, adaptable, and capable of working effectively under stress while shifting priorities based on patient needs.

Completion of annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing, is a condition of employment. Major Duties:

The Community Living Center (CLC) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible and accountable for all aspects of the nursing process when delivering and supervising direct patient care.

The RN oversees care coordination, emphasizing patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.

Medications and procedures are administered in accordance with established policies and guidelines. The RN influences care outcomes by collaborating with interdisciplinary team members.

Key performance responsibilities include maintaining knowledge of and actively participating in unit and program quality improvement initiatives, as well as supporting customer service programs.

The RN is tasked with providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned residents and supervising licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate to the setting.

Additionally, the RN assists in directing nursing education, orientation, competency development, and contributes to quality improvement and outcomes analysis.

The RN demonstrates leadership in delivering and enhancing holistic care through collaborative strategies with colleagues, partnering to implement changes that optimize patient outcomes.

Furthermore, the RN will participate in activities and initiatives aimed at fostering an evidence-based practice environment.

The RN collaborates with the Minimum Data Set (MDS) coordinator to ensure accurate and reflective documentation of the Resource Utilization Group (RUG) scoring.

Duties include but are not limited to: Enhance Veteran and patient-centered care by addressing experience-related issues, including care coordination, timeliness, process improvements, common areas of dissatisfaction, and environment of care concerns within the immediate practice setting.

Act as a professional advocate for patients, families, and caregivers to promote improved outcomes within the immediate practice setting.

Lead the implementation of high-reliability principles and I CARE values to enhance the consistency of care provided and improve patient outcomes.

Assess the current practice setting to identify opportunities for efficient and cost-effective care delivery.

Lead efforts to enhance patient care by monitoring, analyzing, and assessing care outcomes within the clinical practice setting.

Preferred Experience: Two years of registered nursing experience in long-term care, hospice, and medical-surgical settings.

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: 6:00 PM to 6:30 AM, consisting of rotating shifts that include every other weekend and holiday coverage.

Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact visn15edrp@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized