Special Procedure Registered Nurse

The Special Procedure Center RN assumes the following duties and responsibilities:

• Demonstrates flexibility in schedule tours of duty & assignments.
• Demonstrates proficiency in performing procedures or seeks help when needed such as phlebotomy Peripheral IV insertion 12- lead ECG blood transfusion medication administration infusions and all other department specific specialized diagnostic treatments and associated direct care interventions.
• Provides nursing care to complete preparation for invasive procedures specialized infusions and/or treatments. Assures emergency equipment and supplies are always available.
• Confirms availability of implants specialized equipment medical devices instruments supplies. Ensures implants & supplies are not expired; procedural equipment & medical devices are safe and operable for clinical operations. Removes broken equipment from services and reports defective equipment to supervisor. Participates/leads pre-procedural Time-Out per policies/procedures.
• Demonstrates proficiency in administrating & managing patients where Moderate Sedation is needed/used and demonstrates proficiency in administering Moderate Sedation. Provides post Moderate Sedation nursing care in the immediate recovery period.
• Performs ongoing assessment of patient condition & responses to treatment. Intervenes timely and appropriately per policies and procedures. Assesses patients needs preferences & readiness to learn. Modifies teaching approach based on knowledge of human behavior motivations & reactions to situations. Reinforces pre-operative/pre-procedural teaching. Reviews and provides discharge & educational instructions to patients.
• Demonstrates competency in reading & interpreting ECG strips identifying abnormal & lethal rhythms & intervening appropriately. Safely participates in the resuscitation of a patient during a code blue or rapid response situation.
• Deploys professional interpersonal skills for effective information exchange and problem solving with all levels of management staff consultants int/ext customers & outside agencies.
• Performs care coordination and case management duties to include scheduling lab review medication reconciliation & interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Demonstrates effective analytical and critical thinking skills with ability to quickly analyze problems determine appropriate level of intervention develop & applies effective solutions recognizing his/her own scope of practice.
• Effectively functions as charge nurse team leader preceptor or in other leadership roles that guides and directs others who provide patient care.
• Participates as an engaged member on a formal unit-based or organizational-wide council committee or process improvement workgroup/team.
• Participates in professional shared governance unit-based team meetings continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities monitors results and advocates for self and others compliance to regulatory requirements.
• Responds to changing priorities and resources with optimism serves as a positive change agent encouraging self and others to respond appropriately to cultivate trust and a culture of excellence. Supports department strategic initiative action planning and implementation; assists unit-based educational program activities for succession planning.
• Participates in training for self and others for continuous professional development activities aligned with VA mission critical goals and objectives.
• Participates in completion of initial and ongoing staff competencies.
• Provides at least two formal in-services annually to frontline staff.
• Demonstrates ability to utilize computer systems and clinical applications in performance of daily duties.
• Reads & written communication (e.g. memos policies/procedures etc.) during each tour of duty and/or shift.
• Provides constructive and timely self-assessment input for annual performance appraisals.
• Practices ergonomics for workplace safety.
• Monitors economic use of supplies and equipment.
• Member of a nursing service facility-wide regional (VISN) or national committee.
• Member of Unit Practice Committee.
• Maintains adult critical life sustaining (ACLS) certification.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards



Work Schedule: Full Time
Compressed/Flexible: Variable compressed 10-hour shifts no set days off & Saturday GI clinic.
Telework: N/A
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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 masters level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelors 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: I Level IDelivers 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 IIDemonstrates 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 IIIDemonstrates 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 Masters degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Masters degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.Nurse IIDemonstrates 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 Masters 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 IIIExecutes 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 Masters 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 Characteristics:

• BSN with 3 years current/active experience as a registered nurse.
• Must be AHA BLS and ACLS certified. Demonstrates ability to read and interpret EKG strips.
• Preferred clinical experience providing care in the pre/intra/post-procedural phases of care and assisting with upper and lower endoscopies bronchoscopies diagnostic procedures interventional procedures and other specialized procedures.
• Experience providing pre/post endoscopy education to patients and review of colonoscopy/EGD consults.
• Preferred experience with infusion services. 1 year of oncology nursing experience; *chemotherapy infusion experience strongly desired.
• Certified to administer chemotherapy.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit Requirements: In accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting and Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling Pushing Walking Standing Kneeling Repeated bending Keyboarding Viewing computer screen (8 - 12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands and legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); and Emotional/Mental stability.