Career Center

Summary

This position will serve as part of the El Paso VAHCS and William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) Surgical Expansion pilot to expand WBAMC surgical services to VA beneficiaries to include increased capabilities in Orthopedic - General Surgery - and Neurosurgery clinics and operative procedures. Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills - and technically competent practice while providing care to clients.

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.) HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements
• Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment
• 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/12862035
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Preferred 1 year clinical setting - 1 year operating room setting and 1 year operating and using operating room equipment and instruments
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35·pounds for 8-12 hours - intermittently - moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8 to 12 hours - intermittently - lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care - pulling for 8 to 12 hours intermittently - pushing for 8-12 hours - intermittently - reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours - intermittently - both hands required - walking 8-12 hours - intermittently - standing 8-12 hours intermittently - kneeling 8 to 12 hours - intermittently - repeated bending for 8-12 hours - intermittently - climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours - intermittently - both legs required - near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4 - far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye - ability to distinguish basic colors - hearing aid permitted - twisting - simple grasp and fine manipulation.

Duties

• The Perioperative Operating Room (OR) Registered Nurse (RN) is accountable for patient outcomes resulting from the nursing care for the patient undergoing a surgical/ invasive procedure
• EPVAHCS/ WBAMC Surgical Expansion Pilot Duties: Provides specialized perioperative nursing care based on Standards of Care/Practice to patients who are undergoing procedures ranging from complex to routine procedures including but not limited to general surgery - orthopedic surgery - spinal surgery and neurosurgery
• Regularly encounters patients classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA I - ASA II - ASA III - and ASA IV patients) providing surgical services due to emergency situations or as arranged by surgeons
• Performs duties encompassing preoperative - intraoperative and postoperative phases
• Manages a wide range of surgical procedures from simple General Surgery to complex Orthopedics and Advanced Robotic Procedures
• Assesses patient's physiological and psychosocial status to formulate a perioperative nursing care plan to include developing goals based upon nursing diagnosis and desired patient outcomes to use before - during and after surgery
• Identifies nursing care problems and documents the problem - its management and the resolution
• Uses WBAMC Team Strategies & Tools to Enhance Performance & Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) to enhance patient advocacy - communication and team work dynamics
• Provides support to Same Day Surgery (SDS) in preparation of the surgical patient by communicating with the Operating Room (OR) - Anesthesia - Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and surgical staff
• Updates patient's surgeon and family members as required
• Provides support to ancillary departments and its providers functioning within the operating rooms suite by coordinating - documenting - and carrying out patient care
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the patients plan and/or care required and independently responds to the surgical provider and team when deviations occur
• Uses scientific aseptic principles and practices in perioperative nursing to provide comprehensive preoperative - intraoperative - and postoperative professional nursing care
• Inspects all equipment and instrumentation in accordance with National and Local policies governing high level disinfection and sterility
• takes corrective action and reports deviations to leadership
• Verifies completion of patient's preoperative care (antibiotic therapy - insertion of invasive lines - integumentary preparation - laboratory results - and appropriate medical-legal documents)
• Provides information on disease process - surgical procedures and pre and post-operative care - health maintenance and illness prevention to patient and significant other
• Manages care of patients for a wide range of procedures of an advanced nature and difficulty where there is a high susceptibility for infection and bodily functions are mechanically assisted by life support equipment
• Provides intraoperative care to patients to meet their physical and psychological needs including helping to transport - lift - move - and position the patient
• Initiates emergency action and performs Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as required
• Administers medication to patients per physician orders
• Performs duty as circulator and if required - those of a scrub person during surgical procedures
• Confers with surgeons concerning instruments - sutures - prosthesis and special equipment
• Maintains aseptic techniques - accurate counts and adequacy of supplies during surgical procedures
• Labels and assures proper disposition of surgical specimens
• Completes perioperative documentation to reflect nursing care plan - implementation and results of care
• Ensures quality assurance and risk management
• Documents patient care and operating room operations using the Surgical Debrief Tool - and any other computer based programs necessary
• Monitors for and responds to breaches of standard procedures which compromise the patient or staff members
• 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: : Mon-Fri 0645-1515 and Mon - Tues - Thursday - Friday 0645-1715 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized