Registered Nurse

Summary

The Outpatient Specialty Care Registered Nurse supports high-quality, patient-centered care within the Myrtle Beach VA Clinic, contributing to a collaborative and efficient specialty care environment.

Duties

Duties include: Provides comprehensive, patient-centered nursing care in an outpatient specialty care setting using the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Assesses patient needs and develops individualized plans of care based on the patient's condition, age-specific needs, safety considerations, and established goals of care. Coordinates care across the continuum and provides patient and family education related to medications, procedures, disease prevention, chronic disease management, wellness, and self-management. Administers medications and performs treatments and therapeutic interventions in accordance with established policies, procedures, and clinical guidelines. Assists providers with specialty clinic procedures and provides pre- and post-procedure education and care. Monitors patient condition and safety before, during, and after procedures and appropriately documents assessments, interventions, and patient responses. Performs clinical procedures including venipuncture, intravenous (IV) therapy, electrocardiograms (EKGs), nebulizer treatments, Holter monitoring, and other diagnostic testing as assigned. Initiates appropriate emergency interventions, including use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) and emergency airway management, when clinically indicated. Reviews patient records before and after clinic visits or procedures to identify potential concerns, follow-up needs, and continuity-of-care requirements. Collaborates with physicians, advanced practice providers, nursing staff, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to coordinate safe and effective patient care. Facilitates efficient patient flow throughout specialty clinics and assists with coordinating appointments, procedures, and clinical activities. Functions as a charge nurse when assigned, coordinating patient care activities, communicating with providers and staff, and assisting with appropriate staff assignments and workload distribution. Ensures accurate documentation, proper specimen identification and labeling, and adherence to patient safety and infection control standards. Safeguards confidential patient and employee information and complies with applicable privacy, information security, and electronic health record requirements. Utilizes clinical software, electronic health records, and applicable databases to document and coordinate patient care. Uses, maintains, and, when applicable, reprocesses reusable medical equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions, standard operating procedures, and established competency requirements. Promotes positive communication, teamwork, and professional collaboration with patients, families, caregivers, staff, and other internal and external customers. Incorporates evidence-based practices, patient preferences, and established standards of nursing practice into the delivery of care. Participates in continuing education, competency validation, performance improvement activities, and unit-based initiatives to support quality patient care. Maintains required certifications and competencies, including BLS and other facility-required clinical training. Performs additional duties and assignments as required to support the needs of the clinic and patient population. 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: 7:30am-4:00pm Monday-Friday Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Recruitment/relocation Incentives: Not authorized PCS: Not authorized

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/13068316. 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 con