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This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more 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 the appropriate State-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). 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. Preferred Experience: MSN 3+ Years Wound and Ostomy Experience Certification - Wound and Ostomy Care 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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. ["The Wound and Ostomy Care Nurse (WOCN) is a skilled professional who can work independently to optimize patient care, patient safety and operational efficiency. Possesses the knowledge and skills to effectively apply all aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting to facilitate the effective care of patients and manage the wound care program. Manages, plans actual and projected wound care needs for staff and patient population groups to include the prevention of hospital acquired pressure ulcers, diverse staff education and promotion of high quality nursing care for patients who present or are at risk for wounds or stomas. Promote quality nursing care of patients with wounds or stomas in the Acute Care Areas, CBOCs, Primary Care, HBPC and Specialty Clinics and the promotion of pressure ulcer prevention programs in these areas. Travel to various CBOCs on regular bases may be required for this position. Responsibility includes the utilization of advanced, specialized clinical and leadership skills in the area of patient care, Veteran/family health education, nursing research, quality improvement, consultation and continuous staff education. Current certification in wound care is required. Board certification from a VA-approved certifying body preferred. He/she works toward accomplishing objectives and standards in accordance with the VHA, VISN and Medical Center Strategic Plan and the ECF performance Plan. The Wound and Ostomy Care Nurse is responsible to the Nurse Manager, Nursing Professional Development/Education. Responsible and accountable for the management of patients with wounds, fistulas, drains, pressure ulcers, fecal and/or urinary ostomies throughout the acute care areas. Conducts skin assessment rounds; provides specialized evidence-based treatments for non-healing ulcers, traumatic and non-healing surgical wounds. Collaborates with the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) in the delivery of advance wound treatment modalities including but not limited to: tissue grafts, compression wraps, wound vacs, oxygen treatment and other complex dressing care needs. This individual develops and utilizes strategic nursing interventions in response to complex wound and skin care problems. Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to: A. Providing direct patient care as it relates to the assessment/prevention of pressure ulcers.\nB. Conducting/certifying annual, routine and impromptu staff training on prevention of pressure ulcers and appropriate wound care.\nC. Consulting for wound care services in collaboration with providers. This includes acute and chronic wounds of varying etiologies {e.g., complex\nsurgical wounds, pressure ulcers, skin tears, moisture associated skin damage, diabetic foot ulcers, and venous ulcers), fistula{e), and complex peritubular and peri-stomal skin breakdown.\nD. Assisting and cross covering In/Outpatient wound care during absences as requested.\nE. Conducting Tele Wound clinics as required.\nF. Collaborating with other disciplines regarding appropriate wound and skin\nmanagement.\nG. Performing pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence data collection.\nH. Collaborating with the physician/licensed independent practitioners {LIP) to maintain a process for systematic follow-up, policy formulation/redesign and implements treatment plans.\nI. Collaborating with the In/Outpatient WCN to facilitate implementation of the Wound Care Associate Program that coincides with the Wound Ostomy\nContinence Nurse {WOCN) Society. S/He has the responsibility and accountability for the management of patients with wounds, fistulas, drains, pressure ulcers, fecal and/or urinary ostomies throughout the acute care areas.\nJ. In collaboration with the physician/licensed independent practitioner {LIP)\nmaintains a process for systematic follow-up.\nK. Interfacing with the Prevention of Amputation of Veterans Everywhere {PAVE) Committee as required. Additionally, the WCN has responsibility for performance improvement, customer service/patient satisfaction, patient safety, standards of care and practice, and accreditation and regulatory standards. Actively develops and manages collaborative partnerships with physicians and other clinicians. Participates on service and medical center committees and task forces to improve nursing practice and patient care. Identifies educational needs of staff and ensures that these needs are addressed. Student nurse clinical experiences. Assist with orientation of new staff and\ncommunication with multi-disciplinary team. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm. Monday - Friday\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Jacob.Towner@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]