This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Preferred Experience: 1 year MEDSURG or SCI Wound care Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center is looking for a Registered Nurse to work in the Nursing Service Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders (SCI/D) area to provide care and counseling of persons or in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury. The SCI/D registered nurse is a RN who functions independently and collaboratively with the SCI/D interdisciplinary team. The SCI/D nurse possesses specialized knowledge and clinical skills necessary to function in a variety of roles in caring for the individual with spinal cord injury/disorder. These roles include educator, direct care provider, coordinator of care, counselor and advocate. Clinical Educator: The primary role of the SCI nurse is to share information and help individuals develop skills necessary to achieve optimal independence. The nurse prepares individuals and significant others for the future and reinforces teaching done by other health care providers. The nurse provides verbal and written information in a variety of areas such as activities of daily living, management of bowel and bladder, management of skin and personal hygiene, medication and diet, self care, attendant care, community resources and social and environmental conditions, especially accessibility issues. Direct Care Provider: The nurse is the primary caregiver within the rehabilitation team. The nurse provides direct personal care to the individual until the individual is able to function independently or direct others regarding care. Direct care activities focus on prevention of complications, restoration, and maintenance of function. Coordinator of Care: The nurse assists in coordination, throughout the continuum of care with the rehabilitation team, with other specialties, and the community. Counselor: The nurse assists in anticipating challenges of community reentry. The individual is assisted with problem solving skills and the SCI nurse provides encouragement and praise for the achievement of goals. Advocate: The nurse views the person with SCI/D as a unique individual. Nurses bridge the gap between medical and non-medical personnel. Nurses provide information and understanding to other about the rehabilitation process as well as individual needs, progress and outcomes. Other duties include but are not limited to: Identification, treatment and prevention of respiratory complications and have knowledge in the safe and effective use of cough assist (In-Exsufflator) machine and EZ Pap. Identification and treatment of autonomic dysreflexia. Knowledge of prevention, early symptom recognition, and prompt management of cardiovascular and thermoregulatory dysfunction. Describe sexual health issues affecting SCI patients Identification of factors that may contribute to disturbance in body image and self-esteem following spinal cord impairment and discuss strategies to enhance the image of individual with SCI/D. Identification, assessment, and management of pain specific to SCI/D and its impact on quality of life. 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: 7:30am-8:00pm; rotating weekends and holidays; flexibility may be required in schedule and assignments to ensure coverage for the 24/7 operations of the facility. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact, VISN 8 Compensation Center of Excellence at VISN8CCOE@va.gov for questions/assistance. See \"Additional Information\" section below for more details Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
