Registered Nurse (Wound Care)
About the role
The Wound Care Registered Nurse (RN) provides competent - evidence-based nursing care to Veterans with acute and chronic wounds across the continuum of care in both inpatient and outpatient settings at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. The RN functions as a core member of the interdisciplinary team and a subject matter expert - utilizing an inter-professional approach to coordinate care - consultation - and education that promotes recovery - self-management - and quality of life.
Responsibilities
Performing comprehensive nursing assessments and directing the management of patients with complex wound care needs
Identifying and instituting preventive and treatment measures
Evaluating the effectiveness of resources and advanced therapies for wound management
Administering and evaluating specialized wound care procedures
Collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to plan and implement comprehensive care
Serving as the point of contact for Wound/Ostomy consults
Providing cross-coverage between settings and referring complex cases to community-based providers as necessary
Providing extensive education to patients - families - and caregivers regarding diagnosis - wound management goals - and in-home care strategies (including ostomy and continence care)
Serving as a subject matter expert and resource for staff
Providing consultation to the Emergency Department and inpatient units
Collaborating with the Wound Care Program Manager to ensure clinical consistency and oversight
Participating in quality management projects and data collection
Compiling and analyzing pressure ulcer incidence data to drive evidence-based practice changes and improved patient outcomes
Mentoring and developing educational initiatives and in-services for nurses - physicians - and allied health professionals
Mentoring and precepting new staff and students to foster a safe - high-reliability learning environment
Requirements
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)
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 the 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 a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
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)
Grandfathering Provision: All persons currently employed in VHA in the 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
Dimension Requirements:
Practice: Fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
Veteran/Patient Driven Care: Integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills - and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
Ledership: Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
Professional Development: Conscious and deliberate planning
Evidence-Based Practice/Research: Position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
Qualifications
Education:
Nurse I - Level I: Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing
Nurse I - Level II: ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1
Nurse I - Level III: ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
Nurse II: 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 no additional professional nursing experience
Nurse III: MSN 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 a *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
Experience:
Required BLS certification
Minimum 2 years of wound and ostomy experience
Wound certification required
Ostomy certifications preferred
Skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Knowledge of wound care principles and techniques
Ability to manage complex patient care situations
Proficiency in wound care documentation and reporting
Benefits
Competitive salary
Regular salary increases
Potential for performance awards
50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting)
Federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by the VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Pay
Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards
Schedule
Monday-Friday - 0700-1530 or as determined by the supervisor
Telework
Not Available
Virtual
This is not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives
Not Authorized
EDRP
Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS)
Not Authorized