Summary

The Registered Nurse providing care in the Specialty Clinic is a seasoned professional with an insight into many medical diseases and plans of care for the Veterans seeking care in the Ambulatory Care setting. This RN leads other team members to provide safe and effective care of the patient during appointments and procedures and ensures a smooth patient traffic flow throughout the Specialty clinics.

Qualifications

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/12937247
• 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: In accordance with VA Handbook 5019 - Part II - Paragraph 3 - II-1 - 1(a) - A pre-placement physical examination to determine the physical - cognitive and emotional fitness of candidates for appointment in VA is required - and shall be completed prior to appointment - for all full-time individuals appointed under 38 U.S.C. - Chapter 73 - for Title 38

Duties

• The RN position(s) will encompass responsibilities within the Specialty Clinics - providing clinical support - care coordination - patient education - and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality outpatient care
• Specialty Clinics include but are not limited to Gastroenterology - Neurology - Dermatology - Endocrinology - Nephrology - Rheumatology - Oncology/Infusion - Podiatry - Preoperative - ENT - Orthopedics - Vascular - and General Surgery
• The clinic is staffed by providers (attending physicians - mid-level providers) - registered nurses - licensed practical nurses - and nursing assistants
• Duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: Assists with various procedures Provides pre and post in-clinic or procedural education and information about medications Oversees the safety of the patient Documents procedural assessment information Ensures correct labeling of specimens Maintains requirements for reusable medical equipment
• Participate in in-services and performance improvement activities and customer service programs at unit and service line levels
• Oversight of nursing staff Patient intake Point of care testing and health screening
• The Specialty RN will assess - triage - take histories and document conditions and concerns for Veterans presenting to the clinic and via the telephone
• The Specialty RN is expected to manage patient care in a compassionate and astute manner - ensuring patient safety and promoting positive patient outcomes
• The RN provides guidance and education to patients and caregivers and collaborates with other professionals at all levels including but not limited to the other nurses - physicians and the Nurse Manager - Specialty Clinics
• He/she works collaboratively as a member of a larger team - and is proactive in planning - overseeing and instituting care for a wide variety of patients with varying ages and states of health that will be examined and treated in the Specialty Clinics
• The RN must complete mandatory and annual competencies for equipment and procedures - adhere to unit-based protocols - and maintain a current BLS
• The practice of the RN in this position is based on knowledge - experience - and research and has a direct impact on patient care and patient safety for patients while in the Specialty clinics
• The Registered Nurse will be familiar with common medications prescribed - in-clinic and surgical procedures for the various specialties and ensure that care provided is in accordance with established national standards for nursing practice
• The nurse will follow VA policies and procedures and the standards set forth by regulatory agencies such as TJC and OSHA
• Preferred Experience/Education: BSN 2-3 Years of recent adult clinical nursing experience Board certification in Ambulatory Care Documented performance improvement participation VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday- Friday (Day Tour) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.