Nurse (outpatient Procedural Services)

Outpatient Procedural Services Registered Nurse (RN)

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. The Outpatient Procedural Services (OPS) Registered Nurse (RN) is accountable for patient outcomes resulting from the nursing care for the patient undergoing a surgical/invasive procedure. Duties include, but not limited to:

• Plans, directs, and coordinates the care of every patient undergoing operative and other invasive procedures, taking into consideration respect for the individual and recognition of the important contribution that each team member makes to the patient's well-being.
• Functions proficiently in both the circulator and scrub role within the procedural areas and to be competent in all surgical specialties as assigned.
• Maintains knowledge of current standards, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directives, and service level standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Assures the sterility of the surgical field is maintained and all instrumentation and equipment in play is used in a safe and efficient manner.
• Protects the patient from injury caused by chemical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal sources, and extraneous objects, performs counting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items, participates in the Time Out process to ensure correct site, side, and level, and follows implant and tissue/tissue-based product documentation, policy, and procedures.
• Manages the patient's specimens in the appropriate manner, administers medications safely and correctly, performs interventions to maintain the patient's wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels, and performs interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection.
• Responsible for ensuring comprehensive documentation of all care provided during the perioperative experience is timely, complete, and accurate in the electronic health record.
• Responsible for knowing what reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices, or supplies are in use in the clinical area.
• Obtains, reads, and follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all reusable medical equipment (RME) in use in the clinical area and consults Sterile Processing and/or Infection Control as needed.
• Collaborates in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and/or guidelines.
• Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for a group of patients.
• Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement.
• Supports colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care.
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals.
• Evaluates outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations.
• Responsible for the documenting broad and complex outcomes at the program or service level, that can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility.
• Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age specific components.
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines.
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package:

• 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, 0700-1530
• Telework: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements Conditions of Employment:

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• 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.
• 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.

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:
• Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies.
• Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex.
• Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning.
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.

Physical Requirements:

• Moderate lifting (15-44 lbs); Light lifting (under 15 lbs); Moderate carrying (15-44 lbs); Light carrying (under 15 lbs); Pushing (0.5 hrs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (6 hrs); Standing (6 hrs); Kneeling (0.5 hrs); Climbing, legs only (0.5 hrs); Both legs required; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted).

Environmental Factors:

• Outside and inside; Electrical energy; Working around machinery with moving parts; Working closely with others.

Preferred Experience:

• Prior Surgical and/or procedural experience; Preferred candidate has BSN.

Additional Information:

• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
• This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
• VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.