Summary

New Mexico VA Health Care System is seeking Registered Nurses for the Emergency Department!

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.) Preferred Experience: 1 year of ER experience 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/12734422
• 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/
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over)
• Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over)
• Straight pulling and pushing
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking and standing up to 8 hours
• repeated bending
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• hearing aid permitted.

Duties

• The Emergency Room Nurse provide care for patients with various types of illnesses and trauma requiring urgent and emergent attention
• The nurse must be well prepared to recognize and effectively treat life-threatening conditions
• As a Staff Nurse you will provide prescribed medical treatment and personal care services to ill and injured veterans
• Duties include documenting observations - assessments - and changes in patient's condition
• collaborating with health team members to facilitate positive patient care outcomes
• providing a full range of nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavior problems
• and accountable for meeting and maintaining the qualification standards and functional statements of assigned grade
• Our facility is seeking individuals who possess good organizational skills which enable completion of work - a demonstrated ability to assume leadership in a patient centered program - and the ability to establish effective communication with patients - families - visitors and members of the interdisciplinary team
• Incumbent leads by example in defining a customer service culture to ensure that all customers are treated with respect and civility
• Demonstrates ability to function effectively in a charge nurse - team leader - or other leadership roles requiring application of problem solving skills at the unit and team level
• Engages co-workers/team in active problem-solving regarding clinical issues leading to an improvement in care
• Collects current symptoms - as well as a detailed patient history and then consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess - plan - implement and evaluate patient care plans
• Performs triage - while considering safety - physical - and psychosocial elements - prioritizes patient care needs and delivers appropriate urgent/emergent services
• Manages basic life support needs and stabilizes patients until the attending physician is available - based upon nursing standards and protocol
• Initiates appropriate clinical pathways/protocols in the ED
• Assesses and continuously reassesses patient condition and response to treatment and other clinical findings
• Imitates follow up as needed
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary entities within the health care system
• Works directly under physicians - assisting them during exams - diagnostic testing and treatments
• Prepares and administers (orally - subcutaneously - through an IV) and records prescribed medications
• Monitors the patient for proper medication outcome and reports adverse reactions to medications or treatments in accordance with the policy regarding the administration of medications by a licensed registered nurse
• Maintains proper supplies and appropriate medical equipment to care for patients
• Initiates patient education plan - as prescribed by physician
• Teaches patients and significant others how to manage their illness/injury - by explaining: post-treatment home care needs - diet/nutrition/exercise programs - self-administration of medication and rehabilitation - as well as provides referrals to other healthcare professionals for follow-up treatment
• Displays professionalism while completing multiple urgent tasks in a timely manner and assumes responsibility and accountability of nursing actions
• Records all care information concisely - accurately and completely - in a timely manner - in the appropriate format and on the appropriate forms
• Complies with legal requirements for documentation and reporting of occurrence
• Serves as a resource to other staff in meeting individualized learning and discharge needs - recommends appropriate referrals - adaptive equipment and approved educational materials
• Serves as a resource for patients and staff in addressing ethical issues
• Uses discretion in confidential matters and leads other in appropriately safeguarding confidential information
• Identifies potential problems involving resources and/or safety and takes action to avert or manage the situation
• Participates in professional and staff development activities
• 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: Rotating
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.