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The Acute Medicine nurse manages the care of the acutely ill patient with problems in medical, oncology, and rehab needs through collaboration with nursing staff, physicians and other health care providers. The nurse coordinates and facilitates care to restore stability, minimizing complications, and achieve optimal patient outcomes within a dynamic, acute care environment. This announcement was modified on January 13th, 2022 - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive added into announcement Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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) 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Two year RN experience 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 position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. It requires restraining confused patients, repositioning patients, assisting with transferring patients to Wheelchairs/stretchers/cars, and transporting them to other departments or facilities. Mechanical devices available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. 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. This position requires visual acuity, good hearing, distinctive speech and manual dexterity. The position requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level with neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect his/herself from physically abusive patients. ["Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts to include nights, weekends, and holidays\nCompressed/Flexible: Yes\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required\nRecruitment/Relocation Incentive: Authorized to highly qualified candidates DOCUMENTATION - Complete admission assessment on assigned patients within 24 hours of admission Reassess patient condition every 12 hours or as needed Transcribe physicians' orders using CPRS Document vital signs and assessments using CPRS and Essentris Take verbal and telephone orders per policy Complete patient care plans according to policy Plan for discharge/transfer of patients including completing discharge/transfer note in CPRS/Essentris Document medications using BCMA (Bar Code Medication Administration) CLINICAL PRACTICE - Provide individualized patient care consistent with identified knowledge of patient's strengths and limitations Is proactive in identifying potential crisis situations and responds appropriately in emergency/code situations Initiate referrals and/or consultations as appropriate to achieve the multidisciplinary plan of care Function independently in performing more complex treatments, procedures and advanced technology specific to the scope of care on Acute Medicine according to the Procedure Manual (ie chemotherapy administration, pain managements/comfort care and rehab) Recover post procedure patients (ie heart caths, vascular, G.I., Renal, angios) Perform blood draws and venipuncture for IV therapies, IV push medication, TPN and blood products and Chemotherapy according to policy using a variety of access devices Set up and monitor a variety of pumps, including PCA Promote and provide health care teaching to patient and significant others May float to other areas if needed MODULE LEADER/CHARGE NURSE - Function competently as modular leader (Nurse 1, Level 1) and/or charge nurse (Nurse 1, Level 3) must be able to function in charge nurse role MODULAR LEADER: Listen to report for entire module Adjust assignments based on patient acuities and new admissions Coordinate coverage for SNT/LPN/CNA Collaborate with team members, other disciplines and patient/significant others Recognize and use the knowledge and expertise of colleagues and other health care providers in meeting patient care needs CHARGE NURSE: Make patient assignments, coordinates all patient movements and completes 24 hour report and communicates shift report Demonstrate ability to manage the daily routine operations related to patient care and complexity of patients taking into considerations skill level of staff Obtain supplemental staff as needed considering patient acuities, unit census, staffing mix, etc. Participate in clinical supervision of nursing staff, nursing students and new hires through role modeling and communicating objectives and expected competencies or orientees and students Assure adequate staffing to meet patient needs for current shift and next two shifts Follow guidelines for charge nurse role outlined in the unit manual."]