Summary

The Special Procedures Registered Nurse (RN) is accountable for patient outcomes resulting from periprocedural nursing care in outpatients and inpatients undergoing specialized invasive procedures for screening - diagnostics - and treatment for cancer and chronic disease. Incumbent adapts to changes in the daily schedule - demonstrates Veteran-centric focus - critical thinking - and situational awareness - to optimize patient safety and clinical experience.

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/12796125
• 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 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 Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates 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 Master's 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 III Executes 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 Master's 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over)
• Straight Pulling - Pushing - Walking - Standing - Repeated bending (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
• Both eyes required
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• Emotional/Mental stability
• Keyboarding and reading computer screen (8-12 hours intermittently over scheduled shift).

Duties

• Major duties and responsibilities: 1
• Demonstrates flexibility in schedule - tours of duty - and assignments - as VA San Diego Healthcare System is a 24/7 VA Medical Center
• 2
• 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
• 3
• Provides nursing care to complete preparation for invasive procedures - specialized infusions - and/or treatments
• Assures emergency equipment and supplies are always available
• 4
• Confirms availability of implants - specialized equipment - medical devices - instruments - supplies
• 5
• Ensures implants and supplies are not expired and procedural equipment and medical devices are safe and operable for clinical operations
• Removes broken equipment from services and reports defective equipment to supervisor
• 6
• Participates in pre-procedural Time-Out per policies/procedures
• 7
• Demonstrates proficiency in administering Moderate Sedation
• 8
• Performs ongoing assessment of patient condition - responses to treatment - and intervenes timely and appropriately per policies and procedures
• 9
• Provides post Moderate Sedation nursing care in the immediate recovery period
• 10
• Assesses patients learning needs - preferences - and readiness to learn
• Modifies teaching approach based on knowledge of human behavior - motivations - and reactions to situations
• 11
• Reinforces peri-procedural teaching
• Reviews and provides discharge and educational instructions to patients
• 12
• Demonstrates competency in reading and interpreting ECG strips - identifies abnormal and lethal rhythms - and intervenes appropriately
• Safely participates in the resuscitation of a patient during a code blue or rapid response situation
• 13
• Deploys professional interpersonal skills for effective information exchange and problem solving with all levels of management - staff - consultants - internal/external customers - and outside agencies
• 14
• Communicates and initiates referrals to other disciplines and/or services as appropriate to optimize patients prior to their scheduled procedures
• 15
• Performs care coordination and case management duties to include scheduling - lab review - medication reconciliation - and interdisciplinary collaboration
• 16
• Demonstrates effective analytical and critical thinking skills - with ability to quickly analyze problems - determine appropriate level of intervention - and develop and apply effective solutions - recognizing his/her scope of practice
• Effectively functions as charge nurse - team leader - or in other leadership roles that guides and directs others who provide patient care
• 17
• Participates as an engaged member on a formal unit-based or organizational-wide council - committee - or process improvement workgroup/team
• 18
• 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
• 19
• Responds to changing priorities and resources with optimism - encouraging self and others to respond positively and proactively
• 20
• Supports department strategic planning and assists unit-based educational program activities
• Preferred Experience: Must be a Graduate of a VA approved and accredited school of nursing
• BSN with 3 years current/active clinical experience as a registered nurse
• Must be AHA BLS & ACLS certified
• Must be able to CRITICALLY THINK
• Must be able to to read and interpret EKG strips
• Preferred certification with the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses Associates (SGNA) and/or Chemotherapy
• Preferred clinical experience providing periprocedural care and infusion services in ambulatory setting
• Preferred clinical experience in administering moderate sedation
• Ability to effectively collaborate with all members of the interdisciplinary team
• 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: Variable compressed 10 hour shifts Compressed: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized