Registered Nurse - Community Living Center

Summary

This employee provides nursing care to the residents on the Community Living Center (CLC) at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain, Michigan. The function of the RN is to provide, direct, and supervise the delivery of quality nursing care to a culturally diverse Veteran population. The incumbent is directly responsible to the designated Nurse Manager.

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

'A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified individuals.
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until July 12th, 2024 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.
* Patient Care areas can include Surgical Service, Ambulatory Care, Med/Surg, Mental Health, Urgent Care, Community Living Center, Home Care, Telehealth, Whole Health, and VA Community Care (VACC).
The practice of each nurse is based on skill, experience, and research and has a direct impact on client outcomes for the assigned area and the facility as a whole.
* The RN possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively apply all aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting.
This broad based clinical knowledge enables the RN to effectively implement health promotion and prevention interventions, manage acute and chronic illness states, assist veterans in the attainment of optimal levels of functioning through rehabilitation, and provide supportive measures for the dying patient and their significant others.
* The registered nurse possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to: - Communicate and interact appropriately and courteously with internal and external customers.
- Maintain confidentiality of patient/employee information electronically, verbally, and written.
- Work and function within a safe manner including infection control and operation of equipment.
- Integrate and apply pertinent aspects of the Medical Center performance improvement program into his/her professional practice.
- Utilize nursing research and literature in daily practice.
- Report errors/omissions in a timely manner to appropriate staff member/supervisor.
* The registered nurse demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age related and population specific needs of the patient served in his/her assigned service area.
This knowledge includes an understanding of the changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric population.
He/she must be able to assess and interpret data relating to the patient's current health status, which will facilitate the delivery of care appropriate to the age specific and population specific needs of the adult and geriatric patient.
* Provides Resident Centered Care: VA CLCs are committed to providing resident-centered care.
Resident-centered care identifies an approach to providing health care where the treatment plan is driven by the needs, preferences, and life-long habits of the resident.
Care is individualized to each resident, and the resident is a participant in their own care when possible.
Attention is paid to ensure that care meets the age-appropriate, cultural, and religious needs and preferences of each Veteran.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards 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: 2:00pm- 10:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required'