Registered Nurse (Occupational Health)

Full Job Description

The Salisbury VA Healthcare System is seeking (1) highly skilled/experienced Registered Nurse to serve within Salisbury Occupational Health.

Demonstrates leadership, experience/ingenious approaches to management of complex patient care.

Accountable for the management of patient care, human, fiscal/material resources, & the total environment of the unit.

Responsible to ensure that the highest possible quality of care is achieved & a safe therapeutic environment. 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/12932575.

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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

This position requires potentially long periods continued walking, standing, sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, both legs & repeated bending.

Heavy lifting (45 lbs. & over) Heavy Carrying (45 lbs.

& over) Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours) Pushing (up to 4 hours) Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours) Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 8 hours) Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously; Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters; Correctable vision 20/40 in one eye; Ability to distinguish basic colors & shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted).

The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders; Emotional & Mental Stability: Incumbent must be 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/testing, as condition of employment. Major Duties:

The Registered Nurse (Occupational Health) provides care and counseling of people or in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process.

The nursing process includes systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems.

Performs case findings, health teaching, health counseling; provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being; and executing medical regimens including administering medications and treatments prescribed by a licensed or otherwise legally authorized provider.

The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses).

Other responsibilities and duties are included but are not limited to duties listed below. The following list delineates commonly performed procedures in Ambulatory Care.

Duties include but not are not limited to: Assists with pre-employment screening, medical surveillance and immunization programs.

Collaborates with other health care providers to implement and coordinate care delivery for employees, contractors, volunteers, students and VA applicants to achieve maximum quality, patient centered care and appropriate utilization of resources.

Executes responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, knowledge, experience, evidenced-based research and creative approaches to meet the service requirements for the varied Occupational Health customers within the Medical Center and outpatient clinics.

Demonstrates proficiency in the usage of eSolution for Health Care and Occupational Recordkeeping of Employee (eShores). Assists in tracking and trending of department's immunization compliance rates.

Assists in making recommendations regarding changes to the program based on findings.

Works collaboratively with Nurse Managers and other supervisory officials to provide education and services to staff throughout the organization.

Works collaboratively with the infection control department to evaluate the organizations TB plan an infection control policies.

Recommends changes based on current outcomes and national trends/standards. Reviews monthly data regarding employee illnesses/injuries (i.e.

sharps injuries, TB exposure, etc.) to be presented to the Infection Control Committee.

Provides education during New Employee Orientation to describe the use of Occupational Health services, services that are provided in the department and items/illness that should be reported as soon as possible.

Maintains strong knowledge of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Demonstrates ability to provide employee assistance and care to ensure comfort and wellbeing, acknowledging physiological and psychosocial needs.

Acts as resource to managers and employees regarding services available at EAP. Will be assigned, as needed, to travel to all Salisbury VAHCS sites for Occupational Health nursing presence.

Preferred Experience: 2-3 years in professional nursing experience 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 - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized