Registered Nurse- Outpatient Surgery Clinic

Summary

This Registered Nurse (RN) position is part of the Surgery Integrated Clinical Community (ICC) within the Outpatient Surgery Clinics. The Outpatient Surgery Clinic RN provides direct, patient-centered care to veterans experiencing a range of acute and chronic health conditions, with a focus on those undergoing minor procedures and/or surgical interventions, including pre-operative and post-operative management. In-clinic procedures done under local anesthetic only.

Duties

The RN plays a key role in delivering a full range of coordinated care through patient assessments, interventions, education, coordination, home care planning, follow-up, and complication prevention, utilizing state-of-the-art technologies and best practices. The Outpatient Surgery Clinics span multiple floors of the medical center and support a wide range of specialties, including but not limited to: Anesthesia, Audiology, Cardiac Surgery, Colon and Rectal, Dental, Dermatology, ENT, Eye, General Surgery, Orthopedics, Plastics, Podiatry, Radiation Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Thoracic Surgery, Urology, Vascular, and Wound. Cross-training is a required part of this role. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Triages patients effectively through phone triage, secure messaging, walk-ins, and scheduled visits, applying the Standing Orders policy. Collaborates with internal and external teams to identify, analyze, address, and resolve patient concerns in a timely and efficient manner. Works across all assigned outpatient surgery clinics and specialties, adapting to various clinic environments, patient care needs, and skill requirements to ensure seamless, high-quality, and patient-centered care for veterans. Provides direct patient care in clinic and procedural settings, supporting minor procedures done using local anesthetic, nursing interventions and treatments, wound care, and post-surgical follow-ups. Works in partnership with surgery clinic providers, patients, families, social workers, surgery coordinators, physical and occupational therapists, medical support assistants, residents, and all levels of healthcare professionals to manage and support patients. Collaborates with services and staff both internal and external to the VA to coordinate patient care, facilitate transitions, track completion of necessary treatments and testing, and exchange documentation to ensure continuity of care, support, and management of specialty patients. Supports and directs LPNs and NAs as appropriate, ensuring tasks are delegated effectively and care is provided within the appropriate scope of practice. Communicates and reinforces follow-up plans and test results, ensuring patients understand next steps, post-visit instructions, and ongoing care needs. Facilitates Homecare and Community referrals and makes recommendations to support ongoing veteran needs. Provides individualized patient, caregiver, and family health education and support, with a focus on self­-management, prevention, and wellness aligned with patient goals. Coaches and mentors new and existing staff, assisting in clinical skill development and professional growth. Administers medications and monitors for responses and adverse reactions. Completes administrative tasks as required, such as pulling records. 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, Days (8 hour shifts between the hours of 0700-1730) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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. Preferred Experience: Bachelor of Science in Nursing with 2-3 years of recent nursing experience Experience in procedural care or surgery, specialty clinics, and inpatient med-surg nursing Board Certification from VA-approved certifying body is recommended 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, Profess