Registered Nurse (Multiple Areas and Specialties)

Full Job Description

VA Caribbean Healthcare System is looking to fill multiple RNs for our various assigned areas, Inpatient Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Surgery, and GEC (LTC),They 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. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.

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/12928567.

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. Major Duties:

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards This vacancy announcement will be used to fill multiple areas and locations.

There are vacancies for RNs in a variety of specialty areas to include: Inpatient Medicine, They provide competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed Practical Nurses and Nursing Assistants.

They participate in patient and family teaching and provide leadership by working cooperatively with ancillary nursing and other patient team personnel in maintaining standards for professional nursing practice in the clinical setting.

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), They provide a full range of care for patients who have sustained a spinal cord injury or have a stable neurologic impairment of the spinal cord.

Inpatient Surgery, They promote and maintain the patient level of functioning of individuals with disabilities and/or chronic illness, restoring, maintaining, and promoting maximal health.

Responsible for providing services and patient care in various areas including General Surgery Orthopedics, Hema Onco, Cardiology, Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery, Ear Nose & Throat, Urology, Oral Maxillofacial, Ophthalmology, Neurology Surgery, Dental and OBGYN.

GEC (CLC), They perform assessments and provides care to residents admitted to the CLC. They are responsible for planning holistic, comprehensive person care focusing on an interdisciplinary approach.

Maintains expertise in skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, restorative care, long-term spinal cord injury and diseases, and hospice and palliative care.

As RNs are also responsible for contributing to the establishment and implementation of evidence based nursing standards of practice.

Possesses knowledge of the Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS) Regulatory Federal Tags for Nursing Homes, the application to the comprehensive Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment process, and Restorative Care modalities.

Knows the MDS Quality Measures (QM) and understands how nursing care impacts these QMs reflected in the CLC Compare.

These Registered Nurses delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills.

Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific components.

They ensure that the quality nursing care is rendered to patients in accordance with policies, procedures, and the standards of Nursing Service and the VA Medical Center, under guidance and directives of the RN-Manager/Head Nurse and or designee.

Work Schedule: Full time, multiple, Rotating shifts, weekends and holidays. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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