The Spinal Cord Injury/Rehabilitation unit is a challenging specialty bed unit. Patients on this unit may require Central/PICC IV lines, and bowel/bladder and wound care. Nursing experience encompasses quadriplegia, paraplegia, surgery, new injury rehabilitation, etc., to meet the needs of our complex patients. 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. 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. EDUCATION: Graduate from a professional school of nursing accredited by one of the following at the point of graduation is required: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN); or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education(CCNE) OR a graduate of a foreign school of professional nursing. Note: The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission/NLNAC changed its name to ACEN in May 2013; ACEN's website may be utilized to verify accredited programs using automated inquiry processes; however, for verification of any nursing program's accreditation prior to 1998, an automated inquiry cannot be used and ACEN must be contacted directly ACEN or CCNE Accreditation - Candidates meeting the basic education requirement of graduation from an ACEN or CCNE accredited nursing program must be considered before consideration of a deviation to the basic accreditation requirement Nursing Bridge Program (must be appropriately accredited): A masters-level nursing accelerated nursing education program: 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. A copy of the MSN transcript must be provided to VA. Bridge programs that confer a master's degree also fully meet the education requirement, even though a Bachelor's Degree is not awarded. Foreign Nursing Education Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing who, possess a current, full, active and unrestricted registration, will meet the education requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associate degree/entry level Nursing education program Credit for foreign nursing education higher than the associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency accepted by VA such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD) 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 experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to aa Nurse 1, Level 1; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and 2 yeas of professional nursing practice, one of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse 1, Level 2; OR a BSN with 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse 1, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a related filed with a Bachelors degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience. Nurse II - A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse 1, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in nursing with 1 year of nursing experience equivalent to a Nurse 1, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a related field with a BSN and 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse 1, Level 3. OR Doctorate degree in nursing and no professional nursing experience OR a Doctorate degree in a related field with a MSN or BSN and no professional experience. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR Master's degree in a related field with a BSN 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 Doctorate degree in Nursing and 1 year of specialized care which is equivalent to a Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR Doctorate degree in a related field with a MSN or BSN and 1 Year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to a Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Nurse IV - Master's degree in nursing and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR Master's degree in a related field and BSN with 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctorate degree in Nursing and 3 years of professional nursing experience which is equivalent to a Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctorate degree in a related field and 3 years of professional nursing experience which is equivalent to a Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV. Nurse V - Master's degree in nursing and 5 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V; OR Master's degree in a related field and BSN with 5 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V; OR a Doctorate degree in Nursing and 4 years of professional nursing experience which is equivalent to a Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V; OR a Doctorate degree in a related field and 4 years of professional nursing experience which is equivalent to a Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. 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: The position requires the incumbent to have visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The incumbent must be mature, flexible, and sensible, capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. This position requires limited periods of standing, stooping, bending, pulling, pushing, walking, and be able to lift up to 35 pounds. Transferring patients and objects may be required. This position also requires sitting for long periods typing on computer keyboard, looking at computer monitor, and using the telephone. The incumbent maybe exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials requiring the incumbent to don protective clothing and equipment in isolation situations or during invasive patient procedures. The incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative or aggressive related to neurologic or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must meet the required screening/testing and be medically cleared by Employee Occupational Health as a condition of employment. ["The Spinal Cord Injury/Rehabilitation unit is a challenging specialty bed unit. Patients on this unit may require Central/PICC IV lines, and bowel/bladder and wound care. Nursing experience encompasses quadriplegia, paraplegia, surgery, new injury rehabilitation, etc., to meet the needs of our complex patients. As a Staff Nurse you will provide emergent/urgent care to acute and chronically ill Veterans. Duties include but are not limited to: documenting observations, assessments, and changes in patient's condition; collaborating with health team members to facilitate positive patient care outcomes; providing a full range of nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavior problems; Our facility is seeking individuals who possess good organizational skills which enable completion of work, a demonstrated ability to assume leadership in a patient centered program, and the ability to establish effective communication with patients, families, visitors and members of the interdisciplinary team. This is an open and continuous announcement. Positions will be filled as they become available. 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: To be discussed at time of interview Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. VA health care teams are deeply experienced and guided by the needs of Veterans, their families, and caregivers. Our medical center provides primary care and specialty health services, including cardiology, mental health care, treatment for spinal cord injuries and disorders, suicide prevention, women’s health services, and more.
The Grand Junction VA Medical Center services those who serve our country providing critical medical services including acute and chronic inpatient and outpatient care. The facility consists of 53-bed capabilities for surgical procedures, specialty care, psychiatric in/outpatient services, as well as a Community Living Center, and social programs and services. The service area encompasses western Colorado and eastern Utah regions and includes the primary VAMC plus four satellite clinics.