The areas of responsibility for the Wound and Ostomy Nurse encompass direct patient care for inpatients and outpatients to include a comprehensive approach for the assessment and prevention of pressure ulcers, management of ostomy's and all related wound care issues. Responsible for working collaboratively with healthcare providers as well as establishing and implementing nursing standards of practice. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Preferred Experience: Wound Care Certification preferred BSN 2 years of RN experience 2 years of hospital experience Knowledge of data collection and electronic health care systems 2 years of wound and ostomy experience. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The position requires compliance with VA Handbook and VANTHCS Policy related to physical requirements. Moderate Lifting of 15-44 pounds, Light lifting under 15 pounds, Moderate carrying of 15-44 pounds, Light carrying under 15 pounds, Pulling hand over hand for 8-12 hours, Pushing for 8-12 hours, Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking 8-12 hours, Standing 8-12 hours, Kneeling 8 to 12 hours, Repeated bending for 8-12 hours, Climbing, legs only for 8-12 hours, Climbing and use of both legs and arms, 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 may be permitted). ["This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until November 20, 2023 or until positions are filled. The first cut-off date is May 29, 2023. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on a as-needed basis until positions are filled. Applicants will remain active for 3 months after their initial application is received and/or updated. After that time, you must update your application through your USAJobs account if you would like to be made active again for possible consideration during the open period. The areas of responsibility for the Wound and Ostomy Nurse encompass direct patient care for inpatients and outpatients to include a comprehensive approach for the assessment and prevention of pressure ulcers, management of ostomy and all related wound care issues. Incumbent is responsible for working collaboratively with healthcare providers as well as establishing and implementing nursing standards of practice. The wound care nurse is accountable for assessing and treating patients with complex wounds, ostomies, or continence conditions. Assesses, plans, implements, evaluates, and assume the responsibility for the coordination of care. Work closely with members of patient care teams to ensure that personalized treatment plans are followed correctly in order to prevent future infection or injury. Core elements of performance includes comprehensive knowledge and application of skills in treating wounds, managing ostomy, and continence care. Administers medications and procedures per established guidelines and provides personalized and advance care for complex and non-healing wounds. Ability to use computers for data collection, knowledgeable of CPRS, VISTA, Excel and Word. Incumbent is independent and skilled in the care of the complex patient wounds, is knowledgeable of patient, family and staff education, discharge planning processes, and a demonstration of successful interpersonal interactions with the interdisciplinary team members. Demonstration of a minimum of 2 years of professional Registered Nursing practice and at least 2 years of wound and ostomy management is preferred. 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, 7:30am- 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
