Registered Nurse - Specialty Care

Summary

The Outpatient Staff Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based outpatient care to assigned patients and overseeing licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants, as appropriate to the setting. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of patient care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Provides competent, evidence-based outpatient care to assigned patients and oversees licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants, as appropriate to the setting.
• Affirms responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of patient care, patient and family education, patient self-management after discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction.
• Assists in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies, and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation.
• Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic, outpatient care through collaborative strategies with others.
• Evaluates practice in an ongoing process, based on best evidence.
• Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement.
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals.
• Contributes professional nursing perspective in discussions with the interdisciplinary team.
• PARTNERS WITH OTHERS TO EFFECT CHANGE AND PRODUCE OPTIMAL OUTCOMES.
• SUPPORTS COLLEAGUES THROUGH KNOWLEDGE SHARING TO PROVIDE SAFE, QUALITY OUTPATIENT NURSING CARE.
• SHARES EDUCATIONAL FINDINGS, EXPERIENCES, AND IDEAS WITH PEERS.
• QUESTIONS OUTPATIENT CLINICAL PRACTICES FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING EVIDENCE-BASED CARE.
• PARTICIPATES IN ACTIVITIES AND STRATEGIES TO SUSTAIN AN EVIDENCE-BASED-PRACTICE CULTURE.

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. 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.)
• 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/13003684.
• Physical Requirements: This position may include a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting. There may also be extended periods of sitting or standing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols using mechanical lifts that are provided.