Summary

This position is for a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Emergency Room at the Lexington VA Health Care System. The RN is directly responsible to the designated manager and will be accountable for the provision of direct patient care and for the delivery of quality nursing care to a culturally diverse Veteran population with complex needs. Must possess the knowledge and skills to effectively apply all aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative and interdisciplinary practice setting.

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/12709206
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Preferred 1 year of ED experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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
• 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
• 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.

Duties

• Duties and responsibilities for the position include but are not limited to the following: Leads and provides Triage based on established Emergency Care Standards utilizing the accepted Emergency Severity Index (ESI) system of acuity
• Demonstrates skill in Implementing Nursing and Physician Orders for patients with complex needs
• Individual practice follows the ANA code of Ethics for Nurses
• Independently initiates consults to Diabetes Clinic - Education - Dietary - Pharmacy - Psychology - Smoking Clinic - and Social Work Service
• Recognizes and expects changes in patient behavior may be an outcome of part of the disease process and interventions
• Identifies and reports all unsafe conditions to appropriate personnel to ensure a safe environment for all patients - medical center personnel - and visitors
• Able to identify potential problems involving resources and / or safety and take action to avert or manage the situation in a manner that meets the needs of patients in a safe therapeutic environment
• Assesses patient acuity - staffing mix and workload for unit staffing
• Attends in-services / continuing education programs to improve or enhance skills and knowledge in a self-directed manner as well as reviews current literature
• Remains alert to latest professional trends and incorporate into practice as required
• Manages Triage - Evaluation/Processing and Emergency Department with collaborative support from the physician
• Self-directed in evaluating progress towards professional career goals
• Demonstrate working practices that include adherence to Infection Control standards and the safe use and operation of equipment
• Provides direct input to departmental management regarding strengths and weaknesses of staff under her/his charge
• Readily displays positive effective communication skills and professional behaviors that elicit cooperation and teamwork with both internal and external customers
• Communicates relevant information to appropriate personnel in a timely manner
• Provides direct feedback to subordinates - peers - and management regarding the practice of co-workers
• Educates and / or advises personnel regarding policy and practice / procedures as well as documents and reports deviations when required
• Demonstrates leadership in unit level performance and provides suggestions for improving patient care
• Incorporating critical thinking regarding the identified issue
• Conforms with all medical center and service/service line safety policies - procedures and protocols to avoid injury and/or illness to self and others
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply standards of care for triage of a large volume of presenting patients in various age groups
• Prepares all reports and documentation pertaining to employee injuries within established time frames utilizing the ASISTS Program
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay Scale: NU85 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: Rotating 12 hr TOD - Shift determined at hire Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.