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Registered Nurse - Critical Care

Direct Jobs, Aurora, CO, United States


Summary

This position is Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Eligible – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval – award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.
Qualifications

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)
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 a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
(Reference VA Handbook 5005 – Appendix G6)
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 than 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/12941323
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 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 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 III
OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with an 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
Preferred Experience: 2 or more years Critical Care or ICU Experience
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Physical Requirements: The Registered Nurse (RN) must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. It requires repositioning patients and assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs or stretchers. Mechanical devices when available are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. The work may involve pushing or lifting in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care. The position requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with the neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect himself/herself from physically abusive patients. The RN may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations – operative/invasive procedures. The RN may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The RN must be mature, flexible, sensible – an individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations – able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
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 procedures per established policies and guidelines.
Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.
Knowledgeable and actively participates in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs.
Provides competent, evidence‑based care to assigned patients and oversees licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate to the setting.
Assists in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation.
Demonstrates leadership in the delivery and improvement of holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.
Provides direct care for acutely/critically ill patients who are at high risk for actual or potential life‑threatening health problems – regardless of the setting for nursing care.
Provides high intensity care and vigilance while refining assessment skills and blending in data obtained from a variety of invasive
oninvasive monitoring technology.
Evaluates practice in an ongoing process based on best evidence.
Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement.
Provides 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 nursing care.
Shares educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers.
Questions clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence‑based care.
Participates in activities and strategies to sustain evidence‑based practice.
Performs integrating theoretical concepts, strong critical thinking skills, and exhibits a robust technically skilled practice.
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 per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays). Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(K) with up to 5% in contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care. Licensure: One full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory. Work Schedule: Full‑time (1900–0730). Night Differential Pay: Additional pay for hours worked between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am (10% of basic hourly rate if at least 4 hours). Weekend Pay: Premium pay for work on Saturday and Sunday (25% of basic hourly rate). Compressed/Flexible: Available. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval – award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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