The Registered Nurse practices within the Therapeutic Infusion Clinic, and under the umbrella of PCS providing a wide range of outpatient care coordination for patients being treated by the Therapeutic Infusion Clinic/Oncology Service. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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: 2-3 years Med/Surg and/or ICU. Infusion/oncology experience is also preferred. 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: The position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. It requires restraining confused patients, repositioning patients, assisting with transferring patients to Wheelchairs/stretchers/cars, and transporting them to other departments or facilities. Mechanical devices available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. This position requires visual acuity, good hearing, distinctive speech and manual dexterity. The position requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level with neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect his/herself from physically abusive patients. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The RN provides direct care to patients with acute and/or chronic Oncology/Chemotherapy/Infusion needs in the ambulatory care setting. This is achieved through assessment, planning, implementation, collaboration and evaluation to meet the needs of patients consistent with VA policies, scope of practice and established standards of Oncology Nurses Society. The RN is responsible for patient contacts, reviewing and retrieving of medical records, reviewing and triaging of consults for appropriateness of care, triaging incoming phone calls and walk-ins, assuring/assisting with completion of pre- appointment/procedure testing and preparation, pre/post-appointment and procedural education, assists in scheduling clinic appointments, and managing nurse clinics. The RN is responsible for managing alerts in CPRS related to patient care and consults. The RN will assist in team research and updating service-related policies and protocols. Participates in program and clinic activities and meetings. The broad-based clinical knowledge of Therapeutic Infusions and Oncology enables the Therapeutic Infusion Clinic Nurse Coordinator to effectively serve as a clinical mentor, coach, and preceptor for clinical and administrative staff, consulting and collaborating in patient care, educational processes, and evidence-based practice. In this role, the incumbent will assess, plan, implement, and evaluate selected programs related to continuing education, staff development, clinical orientation, learning, and quality improvement as it pertains to Therapeutic Infusions. The RN applies evidence-based practice while providing care based upon the nursing process which 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, health counseling; provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being. The RN's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses). The RN assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction, and acts as the patient's advocate. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives, as well as customer service programs. The RN will have communication skills to include self-awareness, conflict management, negotiation, advocacy, listening, and techniques for delivering critical information. Expanded functions of the RN Therapeutic Infusion Clinic Clinical Coordinator based on education, training and demonstrated competencies will include ordering products/supplies/equipment from prosthetics and/or pharmacy (that do not require a prescription) as appropriate for the care of patients. The RN will serve Veterans who are treated in or require diagnostic procedures in the Therapeutic Infusion Clinic. The RN performs procedures/infusions within the approved scope of practice and based on documented competencies and initiates appropriate management and treatment modalities. The nurse executes medical regimens including administering chemotherapy, biotherapy, intravenous medications, intravenous therapy, and other medical treatments. The RN will work collaboratively to coordinate services including referrals for care outside Therapeutic Infusion/Oncology Clinic. 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 through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
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.
