Career Center

Summary

The Purchased Geriatrics & Extended Care Registered Nurse provides care and counseling of persons and supports the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process. This process includes systematic data gathering - assessment - appropriate nursing judgment - and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding; health teaching; and health counseling.

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/12843426
• 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: Light lifting (under 15 lbs)
• Light carrying (under 15 lbs)
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (1 hr)
• Standing (1 hr)
• Climbing (legs only 0.25 hr)
• Both legs required
• Operation of crane - truck - tractor - or motor vehicle
• At least 20/40 vision for each eye
• Both eyes required
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid may be permitted)
• At least '70 peripheral in horizontal meridian
• Mental and emotional stability
• Environmental Factors: Outside and inside
• Excessive heat
• Excessive cold
• Dust
• Fumes - smoke - or gases
• Slippery or uneven walking surfaces
• Working around moving objects or vehicles
• Working closely with others
• Working alone
• Does not transport patients
• Preferred Experience: Preferred candidate has BSN
• Must have a valid driver's license - proof of vehicle insurance - and be willing and able to drive.

Duties

• Vancouver - Washington sits on the north bank of the Columbia River directly across from Portland - Oregon
• The Pacific Coast is less than 90 miles to the west
• The Cascade Mountain Range rises on the east
• Mount St
• Helens National Volcanic Monument Mount St
• Helens National Volcanic Monument and Mt
• Hood are less than two hours away! Get out and enjoy nature along the Columbia River! The Columbia River provides wonderful opportunities to take in the evergreen forests - agriculture and vast wildlife
• It is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America
• You can visit the Columbia River Gorge and the Vancouver Waterfront Park Vancouver Waterfront Park which is approximately 7.3-acres
• From hiking or biking trails - Vancouver's best fall foliage to history - Historic Sites - dance and art festivals Arts & Culture Vancouver WA has a lot to offer
• If you want to enjoy a plethora of family filled activities you can enjoy a mix of a major metropolitan area with a small-town charm - this is the place to call home
• The Purchased Geriatrics & Extended Care RN executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to the management of complex patient care
• Duties include - but not limited to: Guides - develops - and supports staff from a leadership perspective
• Uses professional standards of care - scientific evidence - and practice to evaluate programs and/or service activities
• Is an expert nurse who practices at the systems level in roles that may include - but are not limited to - clinical nurse leader - clinical nurse specialist - nurse coordinator - nurse educator - expert clinician - nurse manager - nurse practitioner - nurse recruiter - or nurse researcher
• Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a program - service - facility level - VISN - or VACO
• Incorporates professional standards and implements broad-reaching - evidence-based change
• Leads and organizes delivery of services to assure continuity and peer accountability for practice
• Assesses and coordinates patient care
• Collaborates/consults with interdisciplinary team members - assisting in discharge planning - acting as a resource/liaison for exploring extended care options - providing education regarding referral processes - and facilitates communication between health care providers and community resources
• Responsible for program development and oversight - including ensuring that agencies meet established criteria for inclusion in the program and that Veterans receive safe and adequate care in their homes
• Makes visits to Veterans receiving care in adult day care centers and community nursing homes
• Responsible for authorization of services across the PGEC programs to include and evaluate the Veteran's need for ongoing services in the program through routine assessment
• Shares in the development - evaluation and communication standards and plans of care as well as policies and procedures
• Serves on designated committees/task forces and participates in research - research utilization and program development
• Coordinates with State Client Monitoring Unit and/or Adult Protective Services regarding any adverse event and/or sentinel event and will utilize the Joint Patient Safety Reporting System to record the event
• Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of complex patient care
• Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for a group of patients
• Responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level
• Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility - Veterans Integrated Systems Network (VISN) - or Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO)
• Program is defined as a substantial coordinated group of activities impacting patients and/or employees
• 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: Monday - Friday 0730-1600 or 0800-1630 Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized