Career Center

Summary

The Emergency Department (ED) Registered Nurse (RN)/Tele Emergency Care (EC) RN is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing care - assess patients by collecting pertinent data or information - including the triage of patients based on the five-level triage system to prioritize patients that require more immediate care.

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/12747629
• 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: The 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
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• Must be 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 as a condition of employment
• If providing care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Duties

• The ED RN/Tele EC RN demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning and is self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• Further duties of the position are - but not limited to: Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care
• Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines
• Influences outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• Responsible for providing competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients
• Delegate and supervise basic nursing care of licensed practical nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel
• Assist in directing the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization
• Provides urgent and emergent care to patients with acute and/or chronic medical - surgical - and psychiatric conditions
• Care ranges from basic nursing care to stabilization - resuscitation - and life-support measures
• Integrates knowledge - skills - abilities - and judgment and is self-directed in goal setting for managing complex situations
• Validates understanding of the rationale for care processes and decisions
• Demonstrates expanded knowledge base of the nursing process in the care of assigned patients
• Developing leadership skills within the concept of the unit through seeking additional leadership experiences
• Demonstrates the ability to cope with and manage competing priorities
• Assess the patient by collecting pertinent data or information - including the triage of patients based on the five-level triage system to prioritize patients that require more immediate care
• Use assessment data to determine diagnoses - problems - or other concerns
• Identify expected outcomes to develop a collaborative and individualized plan for each patient
• Implement treatment plans - including care coordination - health teaching - and health promotion
• Evaluate the progress toward achieving the expected goal and outcomes and adjusts the plan as necessary
• Responds to routine - urgent - and emergent patient problems appropriately by demonstrating effective decision-making
• Provides follow-up to ensure problem resolution when needed
• Formulates and articulates succinct and comprehensive assessments of real or potential patient problems to the appropriate provider
• Refer patients to appropriate level of care when required - including emergent transport to the nearest emergency department
• Other duties as assigned
• Preferred Experience: Two years RN experience in an Emergency Department setting
• 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: Tours could vary - to include nights - weekends and holidays
• Night Differential Pay: The period commencing at 6:00pm and ending 6:00am will receive additional pay for each hour worked provided 4 or more hours fall between that time
• When fewer than 4 hours fall between those hours - the differential is payable only for the hours worked between that time
• This equals 10% of your basic hourly rate
• Weekend Pay (Premium Pay for work on Saturday & Sunday): Any part of which is between 12:00am Friday and 1200am Sunday is worked
• This equals 25% of your basic hourly rate
• Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.