Career Center

Summary

This Registered Nurse - SCI/D Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse position is located at the Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond - Virginia. Please learn more about the position below - along with the duties.

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
• Please upload a copy of your current/active wound certification with your application to be considered for this position
• 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/12745307
• 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/
• Preferred Experience: -BSN Highly desired
• -Minimum 2 years prior wound care experience
• -Minimum 2 years of experience in acute care setting
• -Minimum 2 years of experience in Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders
• Wound Certification Requirement: Please note - this position will require the applicant to be certified in Wound Ostomy and Continence (CWOCN)
• Applicants that do not have this certification must obtain it within 1-year of being hired
• Further information on this required certification can be found here: https://www.wocncb.org/certification/wound-ostomy-continence Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - and sitting - lifting - carrying - pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands - both legs and repeated bending
• Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• Heavy Carrying (45 lbs
• and over)
• Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours)
• Pushing (up to 4 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 8 hours)
• Standing (up to 8 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 8 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters
• Correctable vision :20/40 in one eye
• Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• Emotional and Mental Stability: The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment.

Duties

• The Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Health Care System - Richmond VAMC is looking for a Registered Nurse into the role of SCI/D RN Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse in the Spinal Cord Injury Unit - off tour - and alternating/weekend shifts
• Major duties/functions include - but are not limited to: -Wound Care Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse's obligation to provide optimal care
• -The focus is on individual growth and development in practice with increased levels of self-direction
• -Assess - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on skin and wound assessment findings
• -Demonstrates proficiency in performing the full scope of wound assessment and management including measurement - staging of pressure injuries - cleansing - application compression therapy - and selection and application of wound care treatments and therapies
• -Completes comprehensive skin and wound assessments and recommends appropriate prevention and/or treatment interventions (and may include ostomy and continence care)
• -Treatment recommendation may include wound dressings - advanced therapies - specialty mattresses - innovative technology (mobile application - 3D imaging - TeleWound - etc.) and other resources
• -Provides timely and accurate documentation of skin and wound issues using Veterans Affairs (VA) approved enterprise standardized electronic health record (EHR) system
• -Seeks guidance in how to improve wound care provided to patients
• Delegates elements of care to the appropriate individual based upon assessed needs - condition - and safety of the patient
• -The Wound Care RN brings principles and theory with limited application of critical thinking skills
• -Participates in the interdisciplinary plan of care meetings - wound care rounds - and telehealth conferences for patients with wound - ostomy - and continence needs
• -Provide education to staff and patients related to appropriate prevention and/or treatment interventions for skin and wounds
• -Participates in biannual prevalence and data collection
• 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: Alternate shifts available
• Tour of Duty includes Day 7:30am to 4:00pm - 7:30am to 8pm - Nights 11:30pm to 8am - 7:30pm to 8:00am
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards