Career Center

The Specialty Medicine Registered Nurse is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. The RN assesses, plans, implements and evaluates care based on age-specific and military population specific components. This position will be a mix of clinic nursing and Case Management. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the time of hire. 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. · 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) · 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 by the time of employment. · RNs appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Preferred Experience, Skills, and Education: BLS required BSN preferred Three or more years previous of nursing experience preferred Case Management experience preferred Inpatient Critical Care experience preferred Population Health Management experience preferred 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. 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 population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. The VA Medical Center is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical, and mental health inpatients and outpatients. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Must be able to lift at least 45 pounds. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Lifting up to 35 pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently, moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care, pulling for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, pushing for 8-12 hours, intermittently, reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both hands required, walking 8-12 hours, intermittently, standing 8-12 hours intermittently, kneeling 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, repeated bending for 8-12 hours, intermittently, climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently, 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 permitted, twisting, simply grasp and fine manipulation. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The RN assumes responsibility for the coordination of care for the patient in the Specialty Medicine Department. Possesses thorough knowledge of clinical documentation requirements, current standards of care, and compliance guidelines. Accountable for utilizing critical thinking skills and sound judgment to ensure positive outcomes, delivering quality patient care and engaging in performance improvement activities. Will develop and coordinate seamless transitioning of patients throughout the outpatient care process with a focus on ongoing care and follow-up needs. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to apply principles of evidence-based practice. The RN must become proficient in Population Health Management. This position will be a mix of clinic nursing and Case Management. Some common duties of the position include, but are not limited to: Prepare for clinic so that the provider has all outside records, labs, and images prior to appointments. Educate Veterans about their specific disease process and plan of care. Monitor patient panels for disease appropriate follow-up. Facilitate communication between Veterans and providers to enhance health outcomes and patient satisfaction. Provide Veteran support at the unit, the service, and the organizational level. Collaborates with the Teamlet (patient, provider, LPN, pharmacy, social work, psych, and MSA) and larger Team (family/caregiver, internal and community-based services) involved in providing care to the patient. Maintains knowledge of the various VA Directives and Policies, as well as National guidance to ensure patients receive timely and efficient care. Expected to function to their highest ability and in accordance with all aspects of their designated Functional Statement. Active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as customer service programs. Provides coverage to all Specialty Medicine Clinics as needed. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required 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"]