Summary

The registered nurse provides care and counseling of persons or in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process which includes systematic data gathering - assessment - appropriate nursing judgment - and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding - health teaching - health counseling; provision of care supportive to or restorative of life 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
• 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/12808604
• 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
• Preferred Experience: BSN required with Master's degree highly preferred
• Three or more years current experience as a RN with demonstrated clinical competence in the management of patient minimal lift issues
• One or more years demonstrated clinical teaching experience in a similar/like position preferred Certification as Certified Safe Patient Handling Clinician (CSPHC) preferred
• Knowledge of evidence-based teaching practices and performance improvement required
• Experience collecting data and use of research to demonstrate progress/ success of program
• Demonstrated skill in the development and verification of tools for assessing clinical practice
• Excellent presentation skills and ability to develop curriculum and lesson plans required
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• Demonstrate leadership and accomplishments in developing and implementing change through an interdisciplinary approach
• Demonstrated clinical teaching experience in a similar/like position preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• Examples may include but are not limited to: - Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients - Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols Position specific duties/expectations are detailed in the associated competency and should be performed once the competency has been validated
• This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments

Duties

• The SPHM Coordinator provides leadership and assumes continuing responsibility for the development - implementation - coordination - maintenance - and evaluation of the facility's SPHM program
• This includes: Development - leadership - coordination - program expansion - and maintenance of the SPHM Unit Peer Leader program SPHM staff education - employee training - and competency assessment in use of equipment and program elements SPHM Unit Peer Leader (UPL) training is offered annually
• New employee orientation (NEO) for staff expected to perform any form of direct patient handling Program evaluation of compliance with Joint Commission standards and VA regulations and planning and implementation of programs
• Implementation of safe patient handling algorithms
• Identification - proposal - and oversight of equipment to meet current and future facility needs for SPHM which - include: Set-up vendor fairs to introduce new equipment
• Supervise usage of any trial equipment
• Work with the Service Chiefs and Administration Officers to request new equipment and remain within the established equipment budget
• Provides communication of SPHM goals and objectives and SPHM program status to facility administrators/Environment of Care (EOC) Committee
• oversight of SPHM in all relevant clinical areas and their peer leaders
• and oversight of facility SPHM bariatric issues on a quarterly basis
• Serves as a member of the Fall Prevention committee
• Collaboration with manufacturers and facility contracting services - facility management - and other applicable services to purchase and/or resolve equipment issues
• Coordination of program outcomes with Occupational Health and presentation of this data to leadership
• Coordination with Patient Safety Center to implement evidence into practice for safe patient handling
• Provides oversight of facility bariatric issues related to safe patient handling needs
• Additional duties as assigned by supervisor
• Work Schedule: Full time position with variable hours to include off tours and weekends as necessary to support patient care needs - staff training - and competence
• Baseline tour of duty is Monday through Friday 7:30-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required