The Polytrauma/Spasticity Registered Nurse (RN) is a member of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services (PMRS) under the Rehabilitation and Long Term Care Division (RLTC). The nurse demonstrates a thoughtful awareness and is committed to a holistic health approach with a focus on personalized, proactive, Veteran-driven care. The location is in Vancouver and will have regular clinic 2-days per week in Portland. 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/12606414. 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/. Preferred experience: BSN, 1 year experience in case management, knowledge of CARF standards, experience with accreditation surveys, as well as RN clinical support. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Straight pulling 0.5 hours; Pushing, 0.5 hours; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking, 3 hours; Standing, 3 hours; Kneeling, 0.25 hours; Repeated bending, 0.5 hours; Both 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 to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Mental & Emotional stability required; Heavy lifting is intermittent. Environmental Factors: Working with hands in water; Working closely with others; Protracted or irregular hours of work; Intermittent alarms-patient. ["Vancouver, Washington sits on the north bank of the Columbia River directly across from Portland, Oregon. The Pacific Coast is less than 90 miles to the west. The Cascade Mountain Range rises on the east. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and Mt. Hood are less than two hours away! Get out and enjoy nature along the Columbia River! The Columbia River provides wonderful opportunities to take in the evergreen forests, agriculture and vast wildlife. It is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. You can visit the Columbia River Gorge and the Vancouver Waterfront Park Vancouver Waterfront Park which is approximately 7.3-acres. From hiking or biking trails, Vancouver's best fall foliage to history, Historic Sites, dance and art festivals Arts & Culture Vancouver WA has a lot to offer. If you want to enjoy a plethora of family filled activities you can enjoy a mix of a major metropolitan area with a small-town charm, this is the place to call home. The Polytrauma/Spasticity RN actively contributes to quality improvement processes and program development as well as, sharing in the development, evaluation and communication of standards and plans of care, and policies and procedures. Duties may include, but not limited to: Serves Veterans of all eras with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) related rehabilitation needs and facilitates weekly Polytrauma/TBI clinic. Monitors and tracks all TBI and polytrauma consults to ensure timely access of care per national mandates. Acts as facility RN lead for brain injury questions and education. Provides nursing case management and support to brain injured Veterans and their families, completing rehabilitation care plans for active patients, participating in weekly team meetings and communicating nursing needs to the rehabilitation team and participating in monthly national polytrauma and TBI education. Serves Veterans with spastic limbs caused by disease and trauma to the central nervous system. Duties include managing and scheduling consults, maintaining clinic schedule, ordering and receiving neurotoxin and supplies, preparing consents, setting up minor procedure tray, prepping patients, and assisting the MD. Takes the lead role in preparation and coordination of the CARF standards for the tri-annual survey which includes data collection and analysis. Data is shared in quarterly reports to CARF committee and RTLC/PRMS leadership. Collaboration with staff on the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit (CRU), Community Living Center, and PMRS leadership. In particular, the CARF coordinator works closely with the CRU Medical Director in data preparation and interpretation of CARF standards. Documentation of standards in preparation for survey, taking lead during the survey process and any follow up or corrective action. 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: 0800-1630, Monday-Friday. Compressed/Flexible: Considered after 90 days. Telework: This position is available for ad-hoc telework. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized."]
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.
