Registered Nurse - Long Term Care - Veterans Health Administration Careers

Summary

Small Homes Long Term Care Neighborhood is a Community Living Center (CLC) that provides time-limited, goal directed medical care to Veterans needing rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, transitional care, and occasionally, long-term care. Length of stay is generally less than 90 days. The population served includes Veterans ranging in age from adult to the frail elderly with a variety of diagnoses.

Qualifications

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
• Education: Graduate of a school of professional nursing
• Nursing education must be from a school of professional nursing accredited by one of the following accrediting organizations 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)
• Nursing Bridge Programs: Nursing bridge programs are accelerated nurse education programs which rely upon existing nursing knowledge and education
• Graduates from nursing bridge programs that meet accreditation requirements specific grade level requirements in this standard must also be met in addition to the following: (a) Master's Level Bridge Program Education Appointments Prior to Graduation
• Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who achieve the level in their education in which they 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 a temporary basis for any period up to three years contingent upon full completion of the professional nursing education program, if education verification provided by the school supports the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) equivalency
• Upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program, the Nurse may be converted to a permanent appointment under the provisions of section 7401(a)(1) of title 38
• Failure to complete the bridge program on which the temporary appointment was based will result in termination of the appointment
• Foreign Education: Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing who possess a current, full, active and unrestricted registration (see paragraph 3c) will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associate degree level Nursing education program
• In order to grant credit towards an appointment based on foreign nursing education higher than the associate degree level, formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency accepted by VA such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD) must be obtained
• Degree in a Related Field
• A graduate level or doctorate degree in health care/management related fields from an institution accredited by the State and approved by the Department of Education at the time the candidate completed the program may be credited as specifically indicated in grade requirements
• The graduate level or doctorate degree and coursework must provide evidence in support of the nursing role and duties associated with the assignment and grade level
• Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Licensure and Certification: The following licensure and certification requirements are considered conditions of employment
• All Nurses must possess and maintain an active, current, full and unrestricted license as a Nurse to practice in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia
• Grade Determination
• In addition to the basic qualification requirements, the grade level of Nurse (any assignment) is based on a combination of education and experience
• Beyond the minimum education requirements, grade determination for appointment, advancement and promotion will be based on the following specific requirement for Nurses: Nurse 1, Level 1
• Education and Experience Requirement
• Diploma or associate degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience
• Nurse I, Level 2
• Education and Experience Requirement
• Diploma or associate degree in nursing and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to a Nurse I, Level 1 OR Bachelor's degree in nursing and no professional nursing experience
• Nurse 1, Level 3 Education and Experience Requirement
• Diploma or associate degree in nursing and two years of professional nursing experience, one of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2
• OR Bachelor's degree in nursing and one year of professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2
• OR Master's degree in nursing and no professional nursing experience
• OR Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Education and Experience Requirement
• Bachelor's degree in nursing and two years of professional nursing experience, one of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3
• OR Master's degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level OR Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3
• OR Doctorate degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Education and Experience Requirement
• Master's degree in nursing with two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR Doctorate degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• Dimension Requirement
• Nurses at Nurse III must meet ALL the following dimension requirements to qualify for Nurse III
• i Practice
• Demonstrates expertise in professional practice using the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation and evaluation) with improved evidence-based and/or data-driven outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting
• ii Veteran/Patient Driven Care
• Leads initiatives to improve Veteran/patient experience
• Satisfaction and/or safety beyond the immediate practice setting
• iii Leadership
• Communicates and collaborates as an effective leader of the interprofessional team, at the expert level, with improved evidence-based and/or data-driven outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting
• iv Professional Development
• Enhances knowledge base and practice evaluation, at the expert level, with improved outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting
• v Evidence Based Practice/Research
• Leads the identification and integration of evidence-based practice/research with clinical expertise to improve quality of care and resource utilization at the expert level with improved outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting
• 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: Walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting in the direct care of patients
• There may also be extended periods of sitting.

Duties

"This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until January 10th, 2025 or until all positions are filled.
Referral of eligible applicants will be forwarded to the Nurse Recruiter at a minimum the first of each month.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Registered Nurse - Small Homes Long Term Care is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct Veteran care.
The RN assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age and life stages, state of health, race and culture, values, and previous experiences of the Veteran.
The RN assumes responsibility for the coordination of care, focused on Veteran transition through the continuum of care, Veteran and family education, Veteran self­-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction.
The RN - Small Homes Long Term Care is expected to perform the usual and customary duties of a direct care nurse.
The RN will perform many technical skills, such as medication administration (including through IVs and peripherally inserted central catheters), port care, wound vacuum management, a wide variety of wound dressings and treatments, trach care, tube feedings, management and insertion of indwelling urinary catheters, nephrostomy tube care, ostomy care, and use of safe patient handling equipment.
The RN influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.
This RN will participate in discharge planning and provides clinically relevant information to the clinical team.
The neighborhood and nursing staff also support other areas within the medical center as needed and accompany residents to off-station appointments if necessary.
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: FT and PT, Shifts will vary.
Rotating weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"