Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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.) Preferred Experience: Ambulatory care - perioperative - surgical - orthopedic - wound care - urology - vascular - ENT - or specialty clinic nursing experience
• Strong triage - patient education - care coordination - and clinical assessment skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within an interdisciplinary team
• 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/12991971
• 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: All applicants must be physically able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position
• A pre-placement examination shall be completed prior to appointment.

Duties

• This Registered Nurse position is located in the Surgical Clinic at the Manchester VA location
• This position is full-time at 40 hours per week
• The Surgical Services Clinic Registered Nurse (RN) serves as a key member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team - providing comprehensive - Veteran-centered care in one or more Surgical Services specialty clinics - including General Surgery - Orthopedics - Otolaryngology (ENT) - Urology - Vascular Surgery - Podiatry - and Wound Care
• The RN collaborates closely with surgeons - physician assistants - advanced practice registered nurses - and other healthcare professionals to coordinate care across the continuum - ensuring safe - efficient - and high-quality outcomes for a diverse Veteran population
• Included but are not limited to: Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process - including assessment - planning - implementation - evaluation - and coordination of care for Veterans receiving specialty surgical services
• Provides direct nursing care and care coordination for Veterans with acute and chronic surgical conditions in the ambulatory care setting
• Serves as a clinical resource and patient advocate - facilitating seamless transitions throughout the pre-operative - perioperative - and post-operative phases of care
• Reviews - evaluates - and triages specialty consults - referrals - diagnostic results - patient inquiries - secure messages - walk-in visits - and telephone encounters to ensure timely and appropriate care
• Coordinates preoperative preparation by ensuring completion of required testing - imaging - pathology reports - specialty clearances - consents - and screenings prior to scheduled procedures
• Provides comprehensive patient and caregiver education regarding surgical procedures - treatment plans - wound care - medication management - recovery expectations - self-management strategies - and health promotion activities
• Develops and implements individualized plans of care based on nursing assessments - evidence-based practice - and Veteran goals
• Assists providers during clinic procedures and delivers care to Veterans undergoing specialty treatments and minor surgical procedures within the RN scope of practice
• Promotes evidence-based practice through quality improvement initiatives by evaluating outcomes - identifying opportunities for process improvement - and participating in the development and revision of policies - procedures - and clinical practice guidelines
• Maintains competency in specialty surgical nursing practice and cross-trains to support multiple Surgical Services clinics based on operational needs
• Demonstrates leadership - critical thinking - clinical judgment - and independent decision-making in the management of complex patient care situations
• Ensures compliance with VA policies - accreditation standards - infection prevention practices - patient safety initiatives - and regulatory requirements
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of Surgical Services and Veteran care delivery
• Work Schedule: Full Time - Monday-Friday - 7:30am-4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Karen Chapman karen.chapman@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Notifications: This is not a Bargaining Unit Position This position is in the Excepted Service This position is covered by a special rate
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - (Notice of Personnel Action)
• The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)
• In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held
• 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 VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards