Career Center

Summary

This is an Open Continuous Announcement that will be used to fill vacant positions at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center. We are looking for Registered Nurses for our Inpatient Community Living Center. This Nurse will serve as a vital team member - the Registered Nurse is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age specific components.

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/12751800
• 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: This 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
• The incumbent 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
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• 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 RN for the Inpatient Community Living Center are responsible for coordination of health care for a defined resident population identified as at high risk for functional decline
• Residents receive goal-oriented - coordinated care addressing holistic needs with the aim of promoting the residents' ability to attain maximum level of functioning - maintain current level of function - and/or prevent decline and promote improvement in quality of life
• Demonstrates a high level of clinical practice and leadership skills and is competent in conducting and reporting performance improvement indicators
• Demonstrates knowledge of current Long-Term Care Institute standards and application of the comprehensive MOS assessment process
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of residents served
• This knowledge includes understanding changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric population
• Coordinates educational activities and uses appropriate resources to develop and implement individualized care planning with Veterans and their families
• Provides direction to nursing staff - demonstrates professional judgement - uses problem solving techniques - and time-management principles - and delegates appropriately
• Coordinates nursing care activities in collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team to facilitate achievement of overall goals
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills to develop a rapport with Veterans - their families - and health team members and to ensure the fulfillment of requirements for documentation and reimbursement
• Acts as a resource and role model for nursing staff and students and participates in activities such as nursing committees and professional rehabilitation nursing
• Shares information about the disease processes - underlying disabilities and teaches nursing techniques to help Veterans and their families develop the self-care skills necessary to move toward wellness on the illness-wellness continuum
• Provide Veterans and their families for future self-management and decision-making responsibility by fostering Veterans' independence and goal achievement
• Reinforces the teaching done by specialists in rehabilitation and other healthcare disciplines and provides resource materials for Veterans changing needs
• Assesses the physical - psychological - socio-cultural - and spiritual dimensions of Veterans and their families - as well as their educational and discharge needs in order to formulate the restorative nursing care plan Implements a plan of care by providing nursing care and education directly or through nursing staff - as needed - to maintain and restore function and prevent complications and further loss
• Evaluates the nursing care that is being provided and modifies the plan - as needed - to achieve measurable goals and objectives
• Participates in the interdisciplinary team meetings/processes offering input into team decision making
• Collaborates with IDT members and other healthcare professionals to ensure that the optimal opportunity for recovery is made available to the residents
• Collaborates with team members to achieve cost-effective care by utilizing appropriate clinical measures to meet emergent physical - psychosocial - and spiritual situations
• Actively participates in Long-Term Care Institute (LTCI) readiness and CLC Compare performance improvement activities Actively listens - reflects - and guides Veterans and their families through the stages of the grieving process to mourn the loss of abilities and roles
• Contributes to a safe and therapeutic environment and supports activities that promote the Veterans' return of function and prevent complication or chronic illness
• Preferred Experience: 2 Years Long Term Care Experience Work Schedule: Various Shifts - Will be discussed during interview process
• 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 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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