Registered Nurse

Full Job Description

Medical/Surgical/Telemetry Registered Nurse is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with development in practice with increased levels of self-direction.

Ability to formulate a plan of care based on nursing assessments. Seeks guidance in how to improve care provided to patients and families.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency.

In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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).

The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration.

In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing.

OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing.

Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript.

(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.

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.

Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required.

Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience.

Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience.

Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required.

Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience.

Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required.

Physical Requirements: This 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.

The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.

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. Major Duties:

1. Medical/Surgical Telemetry Unit Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate optimal care.

The focus is on individual growth and development in practice with increased levels of self-direction. Ability to formulate a plan of care based on nursing assessments.

Seeks guidance in how to improve care provided to patients and families. Delegates elements of care to the appropriate individual based upon assessed needs, condition, and safety of the patient.

The nurse brings principles and theory with limited application of critical thinking skill 2.

The responsibilities of the Registered Nurse (RN) with the competency to care for patients admitted under the Medical/Surgical Telemetry Unit include, but are not limited to: Assesses patient post-operative medications and develops a sound plan of care based on assessment.

Knowledgeable of the nursing care needs of patients as they relate to medical/surgical diagnosis. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of wound prevention of care.

Provides IV care based on medical center policies. Performs accu-checks.

Recognizes and responds to emergency situations to include Code Blue (cardiac arrest); Code White (aggressive patients); Code Red (fire); Code Black (disaster).

Appropriately assesses need for safety devices and utilizes same in accordance with policy.

Provides patient health education to patients and families with regard to current treatment, health issues, and patient/family concerns in accordance with educational level of patient/family.

Complies with documentation standards. Administers medications in accordance with medical center policies via Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA).

Provides guidance to para professional and non-professional staff.

Is able to care for patients withdrawing from alcohol, responding to significant symptoms and maintaining patient safety during detoxification.

Directs care of the patient in restraints, assessing for physical needs. i.e. nutrition, hydration, toileting and range of motion exercises.

Responsibilities of Registered Nurses who have completed Telemetry Education and competency to care for patients admitted under Acute Telemetry include, but are not limited to: Applying, adjusting, and monitoring specialized telemetry equipment for patient care.

Identifying and documenting cardiac rhythm and other electronic displays. Recognizing cardiac rhythm changes with immediate notification to the medical team.

Documenting and recording electronic displays. Completing & maintaining certification in ACLS and BLS. Completing the annual cardiac telemetry education as assigned.

Cover as monitor technician as assigned. Following all Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center policies, procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures governing the Acute Telemetry program. 3.

This clinical position includes a level of physicality normally associated with direct patient care duties performed by nurses such as potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling.

Examples may include but are not limited to: Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocol Work Schedule: 8:00pm-8:00am rotating weekends/holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required