Registered Nurse - Primary Care, Congestive Heart Failure Clinic - Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (Texas)
Summary
Recruitment or relocation is not authorized for this vacancy. The Primary Care and Specialty Clinic Nurse duties for the Congestive Heart Failure Clinic (CHF Clinic) consist of a wide rage of clinical and administrative duties. The RN will assess and triage unscheduled patients as walk-ins, over the phone or secure messaging. The primary care clinics include the Internal Medicine Clinic (IMC) and Infectious Disease Clinic (IDC) in which Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) principles are utilized.
Responsibilities
Primary Care/Specialty Clinic RN Duties: The RN will perform a wide range of clinical/administrative duties and will utilize nursing skills when assessing and triaging unscheduled patients as walk-ins, over the phone or secure messaging. Assures current, comprehensive, and timely documentation is contained in the patient's medical record and any other pertinent records. Uses the nursing process, evidence-based practice, and effective communication to collaborate with healthcare providers, family/caregiver, internal VHA and community-based services and disciplines involved in providing care to the patient in developing the patient-driven holistic care plan for life. The RN must have the ability to work within an intra-professional team to assist in the nursing care of complex populations. Triages and applies a collaborative team approach in identifying triage patient concerns/symptoms; categorizes acuity (emergent, urgent, semi-urgent, or routine) and assists in getting the appropriate treatment and intervention and documents encounter citing approved protocols. Performs a variety of tasks to include but not limited to: Vital signs, EKGs, immunizations, injections, blood cultures, PICC line management, setting up and assisting with procedures, and other tasks as required by clinic. Promotes patient self-management, prevention, and wellness; while incorporating critical thinking and customer service skills into all aspects of the role. The RN oversees LVNs and C.N.As. May function as charge nurse and preceptor; prepares schedule, makes/adjusts staffing assignments, etc. Participates in committees and performs other duties as assigned. The primary care clinics include the Internal Medicine Clinic (IMC) and Infectious Disease Clinic (IDC) in which Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) principles are utilized. In primary care, the RN serves as patient care coordinator for veterans assigned to PACT. The RN coordinates care and collaborates with other staff/services to facilitate the best clinical outcomes, quality of life, and a seamless transition between facilities and levels of care. The specialty clinics include: 1G, 1A, Allergy, Dermatology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases, Occupational Health, Weight and Diabetes Management, and Telecare. The population of patient varies depending on specialty to include but not limited to immunosuppressed, neurology, rheumatology, renal, gastroenterology, hem/oncology, endocrine, cardiology and various other specialties. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm or 08:00 am - 4:30 pm. Monday- Friday generally but may include Saturdays. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Qualifications
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: Three years Nursing experience BSN Specialty Clinic and/or PACT Experience Triage/Telephone Triage BLS certification required Cardiology 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: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Straight pulling (1 hour); Pushing (1-3 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (4 hours); Standing (2-7 hours); Kneeling (2 hours); Repeated bending (2 hours); Climbing, use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Specific visual requirement (20/40 DVA; corrected); Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Sitting (8 hours); Simple grasping (2-4 hours); Fine manipulation (including keyboarding 4-6 hours); Twisting (2 hours); Mental and emotional stability.
Education
The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission On Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Verification of accreditation may be obtained from http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm or https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp. If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. If your school was accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.
Additional Information
Annual leave shall accrue for full-time Nurses, and Nurse Anesthetists at the rate of 8 hours for each full biweekly pay period. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
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