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The Durham VA is seeking dedicated Registered Nurses to join the Critical Care Team. There are currently three separate Intensive Care Units (ICU) with a total of 27 beds. They are the Coronary, Medical and Surgical Intensive Care Units. Registered Nurses are assigned to one of the three ICU's but may float to another ICU as needed. All have received Beacon Awards for the Excellent Level of Care given at this Level 1A VA Medical Center. 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: A minimum of two years of successful nursing practice. A minimum of two years Critical Care experience. Familiarity with care of patients pre- and post-procedure with and without conscious sedation and general anesthesia. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with patients, families and other members of the interdisciplinary team. Demonstrated skills in decision-making, sound clinical judgment and critical-thinking abilities. Demonstrated ability to use computer systems in support of patient care delivery. Preferred Certification(s): ANCC for Critical Care Nurses ACLS BLS Preferred Education: BSN 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years 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 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. NOTE: Nurse III must demonstrate performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for a group of patients. The Nurse III is responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level. Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level. In order to be considered for appointment to Nurse III, outcomes must be documented. Meeting the Practice dimension involves incorporating and implementing the requirements of the other qualification standards, including: (a) Leading and organizing delivery of care to assure continuity of care and peer accountability for practice, including access to care and discharge planning. (b) Using advanced clinical knowledge/judgment to promote staff involvement in planning, decision-making and evaluating outcomes. (c) Functioning as an expert in clinical practice and/or in areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities. (d) Systematically evaluating current practice and formulating outcomes for groups of patients and/or organizational processes within area of expertise. (e) Guiding, developing and supporting staff from a leadership perspective. (f) Using professional standards of care, scientific evidence and practice to evaluate programs and/or service activities. The full performance level of this vacancy is Nurse III. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of Nurse I to Nurse III. 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, both legs and repeated bending. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours); Pushing (up to 4 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 8 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters; Correctable vision :20/40 in one eye; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders; Emotional and Mental Stability: The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Registered Nurse working in the Intensive Care Units at the Durham VA Health Care System will care for Veterans during a very complex facility visit. The primary reasons for admission include but are not limited to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Cardiac/Respiratory/ and Renal Failure, Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Acute Coronary Syndrome, Congestive Heart Failure, Cardiogenic Shock, Post Invasive Cardiac Procedures, Open Heart Surgery (CABG or Valve Replacements), Craniotomy, Aortic/femoral bypass grafting, Radical Prostatectomy, Thoracotomy, Abdominal, ENT or Orthopedic Surgery. Registered Nurses within the Intensive Care Units will provide patient and family centered care in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of clinicians. Specialty Care and services are available through consultation and are utilized as needed to ensure continuity and progression of care. Discharge planning and patient/family education is initiated on admission and continues throughout hospitalization. Therapies include hemodynamic monitoring, cardiac pacing, cardioversion, peritoneal, or hemodialysis, mechanical ventilation, pacemaker implants and defibrillators, intra-aortic balloon pumping, vasoactive, antiarrhythmic, epidural and analgesic sedation and paralytic drug administration. The units are staffed with a nurse patient ratio of 1:1 to 1:3 depending upon patient acuity levels/needs. Physician coverage is provided by staff Physicians and Surgical Resident Physicians from Duke University School of Medicine. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Safe and effective nursing practice in emergencies focused on the age, physiologic, psychological and cognitive status of the patient. Protection and respect of patients' rights and confidentiality. Assessment/data collection and documentation in an ongoing and systematic manner. Participation in development of unit goals, standards, protocols, and flexible scheduling patterns. Self-directed learning and continuing education for own development. Promoting an environment that supports caring and courteous service, safe patient care, and positive working relationships. 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: Schedules will vary based on needs of agency; work schedule will be determined upon selection. NOTE: Candidate May be expected to work rotating weekends and holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: A recruitment incentive of $15,000.00 has been authorized for Eligible, highly qualified applicants. This incentive has been authorized for new and previous VA employees. Please contact the HR specialist for specific requirements. ****Current VA employees are not eligible to receive this incentive**** Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Applications will remain on file until 3 months after May 02, 2023."]

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