Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. 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. Preferred Experience: BSN or Higher preferred 3-5 years nursing experience preferred Recent experience in hematology/oncology/chemotherapy preferred Oncology certification strongly encouraged 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/12627273. 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: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting. This position also requires that the staff member beable to wear a lead apron for an extended period of time. ["Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs. The Close to Me (CTM) RN is a traveling Infusion RN position with a primarily location at the Madison Wisconsin VA within the Infusion Outpatient clinic with frequent travel required to CBOC locations (Rockford IL; Janesville, WI; Baraboo, WI; Beaver Dam, WI; Freeport, IL) and on occasion the Tomah VAMC in Wisconsin. The purpose of this position is to provide injections, infusions, and cancer treatment to veterans closer to their homes. This RN is an integral member of the interdiscipIinary treatment team and is responsible for the nursing management of the outpatient veteran . The incumbent will facilitate the management, planning, direction, implementation, evaluation, and continuity of outpatient nursing care for patient enrolled in Close to Me. The Close to Me Infusion RN administers infusions and injections, including but not limited to chemotherapy, immunotherapies, immunoglobulin therapy, and bisphosphonates. Additional responsibilities include, but not limited to: Administration and monitoring of medications including antineoplastic and immunotherapy agents Assessment and management of central lines (PICCs, ports) and peripheral IV's Therapeutic phlebotomy Symptom management via face-to-face interaction and telephone Identification of patients appropriate for Close to Me Services; collaboration with providers to ensure patient is eligible to participate in Close to Me Participation in weekly Close to Me collaboration meeting with pharmacy, nursing, specialty clinics and others Care coordination including but not limited too scheduling appointments, result follow up, patient education Verifies labs and provider pre-clearance appointments were completed Verifies orders entered for treatment in accordance with policy and ONS standards Complete 24-48 hour pre-clearance call with Veteran or pre-clearance calls as needed Recognizes and supports Suicide Prevention initiatives Ensures documentation is completed timely and thoroughly for patient care Collaborates with care team to ensure patients goals of care and treatment plans are followed/developed in the outpatient setting Works closely with other VA Medical Centers to coordinate and improve care Participates in the development and implementation of recommended policies and procedures as related to Close to me and/or facility policy Participates and/or leads programmatic efforts for Close to Me Participation in High Reliability Organization (HRO) and professional governance initiatives Demonstrates professional communication and conduct Skills in time management, autonomy, priority setting, assessment and urgent intervention are essential for this unit Valid drivers license is required for position. Nurses in the Close to Me RN position will be required to complete: One time \"ONS Fundamentals of Chemotherapy and lmmunotherapy Administration\" within 3 months o hire \"ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy lmmunotherapy Administration Certificate\" Course with a passing grade after 2 years of successful Infusion Clinic Nursing Practice. \"ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy lmmunotherapy Certificate Renewal\" every two years following initial Chemotherapy lmmunotherapy Certification. If renewal not completed within 30 days of expiration employee will be required to complete \"ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Administration Certificate\" The nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation is applied in an ongoing, systematic manner, which begins with the initial patient contact and continues through the post delivery of care. Thus, the nursing care encompasses a broad range of activities based on patient needs. They may include pre-appointment assessments, patient and family education, administration of medications, telephone triage, discharge planning, post infusion follow-up, staff orientation, and preventative health and disease management. The nurse ·organizes care delivery in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team in a manner that promotes continuity and accountability for patient care. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: 0700-1930 rotating hours; Monday-Friday Telework: Not Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.