The Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for a Registered Nurse- Primary Care Community Based Outpatient Clinic Float for the Allentown and Northampton Outpatient Clinics. Travel will be required for this position to cover both Outpatient Clinics and is located in Primary Care under Nursing Service. 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: 1 year experience in Primary Care, Specialty Care, Home Care, or Urgent Care outpatient experience. 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. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. 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: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; pushing; reaching above shoulders; use of fingers; use of both hands required; walking 8 hours; standing 8 hours; repeated bending; climbing legs only; both legs required; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); emotional stability; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other. May be required to work with assaultive or combative patients. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Travel between 2 assigned CBOCs required: AOPC and NOPC Interviews patient, obtains vital signs and prepares patient for visits with Primary Care Physician. Implements preventative health initiatives by conducting annual health screening, clinical reminders and education on all patients enrolled in Primary Care. Based on the patient's goals, provides patient and family health education, to include self-management, prevention and wellness. Demonstrates understanding of age- and population-specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran. Interacts and communicates appropriately with patients and family members. Documents patient care into CPRS utilizing the appropriate note title and encounter according to policy and standard operating procedures per medical center policy. Makes observations and thoroughly documents care and the patient's response. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing nurse manager or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate. Provides immediate nursing intervention in emergency situations. Administers immunizations as needed and documents. Completes Diabetic and At-Risk Foot examinations. Performs EKG's, Phlebotomy & others (ie. Holter, pulse oximetry). Performs follow-up discharge calls for hospital and emergency room discharges to ensure continuity of care. Demonstrates professional behavior (i.e., respect, civility, ability to accept constructive criticism), effective communication and interpersonal skills. Actively participates in daily huddles, team meetings, and interdisciplinary opportunities to improve patient care at the program level. Assists in the orientation and competency validation of students, peers and clerical staff. Maintains confidentiality of electronic, written, and/or verbal patient information. Completes all mandatory training timely and participate in Patient Aligned Care Team initiatives which includes but is not limited to Secure Messaging, TEACH training, and Motivational Interviewing in order to promote patient self-management toward individualized plan of care. Initiates/participates in quality improvement opportunities to improve patient care facility wide and at the program level. Utilizes VistA options such as patient Inquiry and e-mail to perform daily functions. Maintains privacy and confidentiality of all patient information, including electronic, print, and conversations. Serves as a resource and advocate in the protection of patient and family rights. Knowledge of the high-risk registry and Care Assessment Needs Score. Adheres to principles of infection control, safety, and universal precautions. Responsible for ordering/maintaining supplies in the clinical area. Checks daily for outdated medication & supplies to include but not limited to: accucheck controls, Omnicell discrepancies, and crash cart check list. Monitors and Records Temps for refrigerators if appropriate and reports out of range temperatures. Maintains competency for all clinically appropriate procedures. Maintains current BCLS provider status. Participates in outreach programs. Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not available. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
