Registered Nurse - Outpatient Staff

Summary The incumbent will be working at the Baltimore VA Medical Center located in Baltimore - Maryland as an Outpatient Staff RN. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States - providing care to millions of enrolled Veterans through a nationwide network of VA medical centers and outpatient clinics. 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/13093591Grade/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: Three years recent med surg experience and recent outpatient clinic experienceExperience in a GYN - ENT - Urology - Vascular - General Surgery - Podiatry and/ or Orthopedics surgical outpatient setting preferredHCG and A1C POC testing experienceStrong phlebotomy skillsImmunization administration experienceKeen computer and organizational skillsReference: 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 dexterityThis position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushingThis position also requires the ability to lift 30 lbsTransferring patients and objects may be requiredThe incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive proceduresThe incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disordersThe incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needsMust complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment. Duties The following responsibilities are assigned to the incumbent but are not limited to those listedProvides fundamental - knowledge-based nursing care to assigned patients while developing and maintaining technical nursing skillsAssesses - plans - implements - and evaluates patient care using age-specific considerations and established nursing standardsCoordinates comprehensive patient care with an emphasis on patient education - self-management - continuity of care - and customer satisfactionAdministers medications - treatments - and nursing procedures in accordance with established policies - procedures - and clinical guidelinesAssumes responsibility and accountability for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient careCollaborates with physicians - nurses - pharmacists - therapists - social workers - and other interdisciplinary team members to promote positive patient outcomesMonitors patient responses to treatment and modifies nursing interventions based on assessment findings and changes in patient conditionProvides education to patients and families regarding medications - treatment plans - disease management - self-care - and preventive health measuresDemonstrates leadership - professional judgment - clinical experience - and creative problem-solving when managing complex patient-care situationsParticipates actively in unit- and program-level quality improvement initiatives - performance improvement activities - and customer-service programsPromotes a safe - respectful - patient-centered environment while addressing patient needs and supporting high-quality healthcare deliveryDemonstrates accountability - professionalism - and effective communication while coordinating care across the healthcare continuu VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards 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 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized