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. 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 of OR experience. ACLS/BLS Certification Required 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. 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 potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. This position requires potentially long periods of continued moderate lifting (15 - 44 Ibs), moderate carrying (15-44 Ibs), light carrying (under 15 Ibs), reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (4-8 hours), standing (4-8 hours), repeated bending (4-8 hours), both legs required, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, and hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental Factors: Working alone. Physical Demands: The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. Jackson VAMC is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients. 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. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Operating Room (OR) staff registered nurse will provide safe, basic care to residents at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center OR. The registered nurse primarily functions as a circulating nurse. In that role, he/she is responsible for assessing, developing and implementing a plan of care to meet the spiritual, emotional, and physiological needs of each patient. The registered nurse is responsible for ensuring that the plan of care is carried out through performance and leadership of subordinate personnel. He/she must demonstrate competency in performing effectively when assigned to emergency call. The performance responsibilities of the registered nurse in the Operating Room are: - Adheres to the standards of nursing practice of VA Medical Center, which consist of a systematic approach to nursing practice by using the nursing process. - Assesses the patient status upon arrival to the Operating Room suite and continually thereafter. - Develops a plan of care by the preparation of the Operating Room, necessary supplies, and equipment as indicated by the patient's illness. - Coordinates preparational activities of the Operating Room with other members of the surgery teams. - Assists in transportation of the patient to the Operating Room and to the Postanesthesia and to the Post-anesthesia Recovery Room, as needed. - Implements the plan of care during anesthesia and surgery as directed by the anesthesiologist and surgeon. - Provides and maintains a safe and comfortable environment for the patient. - Acts as first, second, and third, assistant to the surgeon as necessary. -Demonstrates the ability to give comprehensive nursing care to meet the total needs of the patient. - Communicates with the Charge Nurse the need for services required of other departments (e.g., radiology, laboratory and pathology, pharmacy, Medical Media, etc.) - Notifies relatives of progress of surgery and communicates any messages as directed by the physician. - Accurately records nursing actions and physician's directions on the Operative Report, which reflects the nursing care provided during the surgical procedure. - Evaluates the care given by comparing psychological and physical needs of the patient with the care given. - Demonstrates knowledge and judgment needed to meet the nursing needs of the patient. - Demonstrates basic knowledge of Operating Room procedures. - Readily identifies and practices principles of sterile technique. - Correlates operative procedure with human anatomy and physiology involved. - Cognizant and performs correct sterilization procedures. - Demonstrates knowledge of surgical procedure performed and anticipates future needs of surgical team. - Demonstrates organizational ability by using time, equipment, and personnel effectively. - Prepares assignment sheets listing responsibilities of all personnel in meeting the needs of the patient. - Coordinates activities of each operating room with the OR Clerks and Operating Room Nurse Manager. - Coordinates use of special equipment and supplies needed. - Establishes priorities and delegates responsibilities. - Gives verbal account of ongoing activities to charge or relief nurse, as appropriate. - Communicates with other nursing units and hospital departments as necessary in lending knowledge and care for the patients involved. - Demonstrates interpersonal relationships with patients, visitors and co-workers. - Demonstrates skill in oral and written communication techniques. - Maintains a responsible attitude toward appropriate and efficient management of the hospital. - Demonstrates ability to guide and direct subordinates in utilizing the team approach. - Demonstrates a leadership role through supervision, clinical practice, teaching and research. 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 (7:00a.m. - 3:30p.m., 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. with call). And other tours as needed by the facility. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact olympia.smith@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
