Registered Nurse - Oncology/Hematology

Summary The Registered Nurse in Oncology/Hematology is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. The incumbent uses specialized knowledge and judgement for delivery of high quality and evidence-based care to oncology patients and their families. Qualifications Basic Requirements: English Language ProficiencyIn 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 EnglishGraduate 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 programUpon 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 programCredit 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 ColumbiaGraduate 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/certificationGrade 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 gradeThe 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/13079280Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competenciesAn Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing requiredNurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complexAn 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 requiredNurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planningSelf-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situationsAn ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experienceOR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experienceNurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with othersA BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experienceOR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experienceNurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice settingMSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IIIOR 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 IIIOR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IIIOR 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 degreesPreferred Experience: Hematology/Oncology experienceReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/Physical Requirements: This position may/can involve considerable amount of standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting - and turningIt requires assisting clients with transfers from wheelchairs/stretchers and transporting them to other departments or facilitiesMechanical devices are available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift clientsThe work may involve pushing or lifting more than 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairsThe position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing careThe position may require exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials which will require protective clothing to be worn in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settingsThe position may require exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disordersThe position also requires ability to work on computers for extended periods of timeBasic Life Support (BLS) is required for RNs in direct patient care positions per policythe supervisor may also direct BLS certification for other positionsAdvanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is required in specific specialty areas and assignments per policyIncumbent will be self-directed in completing orientation and on-going mandatory educationWill actively participate in competency assessment and validationSpecialty assignments may require a scope of practice for procedures beyond basic education. Duties VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The duties of this position include - but are not limited to: Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient careAssumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of careAdministers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelinesInfluences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary teamCore elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programsLeads the provision of nursing care to patients with complex care needs utilizing the nursing process in alignment with the ANA Standards of Nursing PracticeApplies clinical knowledge/judgment to lead staff involvement in planning - decision-making - and evaluating outcomes within the immediate practice settingImproves Veteran/patient driven care by resolving experience issues such as coordination of care - timeliness or process issues - common themes of dissatisfaction - or environment of care concerns for the immediate practice settingCompletes physiological assessments and completes documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) in accordance to established policies and proceduresTriages patient problems and assists in the evaluation of symptoms and initiate interventions in collaboration with the interdisciplinary teamMonitors - tracks/tends - and reports ongoing care needs and outcomes to the interdisciplinary teamDirects the provision of nursing education - orientation - competencies - and providing quality improvement and outcome utilizationProvides a safe working environment while administering - handling - and disposing of antineoplastic drugs and medical wasteOversees the administration and management of various medical procedures and treatments in the oncology setting - including vascular access devices and infusion treatmentsConducts in-service education based on insights gained from oncology professional development activities and acquiring specialized skills in oncology-specific areas - including chemotherapy administration - oncology electronic ordering systems - and calculating drug dosagesManages monitoring requirements for specific drugs - handling immediate infusion reactions - and preventing and managing oncology-related symptoms and adverse events - such as chemo-related symptoms and immune-related adverse eventsPay: 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: Tour of Duty is NegotiableTelework: Not availableVirtual: This is not a virtual positionRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not AuthorizedPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.