Summary

The Registered Nurse works in the Cardiology Department within Surgical and Procedural Care Nursing Service and executes position responsibilities that delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills. Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age-specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.

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/13101799
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Preferred Experience: Cardiology or Cath Lab Experience Preferred Physical Requirements: This clinical position includes a level of physicality normally associated with inpatient care - including bending - grasping - kneeling - performing moderate lifting - carrying tasks of up to 35 pounds per Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) guidelines and using an appropriate mechanical lift
• Candidates must possess the ability to pivot their waist and neck - push and pull items not greater than 35 pounds and reach within a five-foot distance or above shoulder height
• The position requires sitting - squatting - standing - walking - and twisting - alongside wrist flexion and extension
• Employees are expected to employ proper body mechanics during lifting
• Requires adequate vision to accurately perform the assigned duties - distinguish basic colors and assess patients and the environment safely
• The position requires the ability to hear at a level to perform the assigned duties - and the use of hearing aids is permitted.

Duties

• Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care
• Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age specific components
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care
• Administers medications and assists in the performance of procedures per established policies and guidelines
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• Functions with a high degree of teamwork - utilizes critical thinking - and demonstrates exceptional communication skills with the interdisciplinary team
• Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of complex patient care
• Demonstrate expert leadership - experience - and creative approaches to delivery and management of complex inpatient and outpatient patient care including those undergoing therapeutic and diagnostic cardiology procedures
• Assesses the patients physical and mental status prior to procedures - educates on procedural and pre/postprocedural care - and documents responses to interventions - findings - and reports any changes
• Partners with the patient - family - and interdisciplinary team to promote effective and safe transitions across the health care continuum - including the Veteran's goals of care
• Assumes responsibility for patient and family education - patient self-management after discharge - and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction
• Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for a group of patients
• Addresses psychosocial - as well as nursing and medical needs of patients and their families/caregivers - through participation with the interdisciplinary care team
• Care coordination includes assuring services interface within the Veterans Affairs (VA) and community programs to provide continuity of care to patients
• Evaluates care and outcomes to ensure timely and appropriate provision of services
• Advocates for holistic care through patient/family education and provider interaction and implements an educational plan to meet the patient care needs
• Collaborates in the development - implementation - evaluation - and revision of policies - procedures - and/or guidelines
• Accountable for the effective management and coordination of care for patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device (CIED) - including pacemakers - implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) - and implantable loop recorders
• The RN has a strong knowledge base of cardiovascular care and advanced heart diseases
• Collaborates with the Electrophysiology (EP) team - Cardiologists - heart failure team - surgical team - and other clinical staff to coordinate the care of patients with CIEDs - and to provide and improve quality patient outcomes for the patient and families
• Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Supports colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe - quality outpatient nursing care
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals
• Evaluates outcomes of evidence based decisions and practice changes for individuals - groups - and populations
• Responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level
• Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility
• The RN may function in several roles to include - pre-procedure assessments - post procedural recovery - and assisting physicians during procedures
• Maintain proficiency on the maintenance - cleaning - and preparation of cardiology specific equipment - as well as assisting the planning of end-of-life equipment replacement and future needs
• 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: 8:00am - 4:30pm - May have last call assignments as needed
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized