The Nursing, Specialty department at the Atlanta VA Medical Center has a vacancy for a Nurse (Cath Lab). 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.) Preferred Qualifications: 1-2 Years Cath Lab Experience. Master's Degree Preferred. 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/12630493. Education Experience Dimension Requirements BSN (OR) Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing and bachelors degree in related field. (OR) Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing and bachelors degree in a related field. (OR) Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN or bachelor's degree in a related field. (If MSN obtained in a Bridge Program no BNS required.) (OR) Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in related field. Approximately 2-3 years Approximately 2-3 years Approximately 1-2 years None [PRACTICE 1. Practice: Applies the nursing process to systems or processes at the unit/team/work group level to improve care. Demonstrates leadership by involving others in improving care. 2. Ethics: Supports and enhance client self-determination. Serves a s resource for clients and staff in addressing ethical issues. 3. Resource Utilization: Identifies and assesses resource utilization and safety issues, taking appropriate action. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 1. Education/Career Development: Acquires knowledge and skills to maintain expertise in area of practice. Participates in educational activities to improve clinical knowledge and enhance role performance. 2. Performance: Evaluates practice of self and others using professional standards, relevant statutes, and regulations. Takes action to improve performance. COLLABORATION 1. Collaboration: Uses the group process to identify analyze and resolve care problems. 2. Collegiality: Educates colleagues and /or students and serves as a preceptor and/or mentor. SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY 1. Quality of Care: Initiates/participates in quality improvement activities that result in approved outcomes. 2. Research: Uses a body of research to validate and/or change work group practice. ["Coordinates employee wellness activities to include marketing, development, implementation, and evaluation Provides leadership and mastery of practice in delivering efficient, comprehensive, and continuous patient-driven holistic care through active collaboration, communication and coordination of resources at the service level. . He/she utilizes core elements of performance including knowledge and active participation in unit/service level quality improvement processes, such as the customer service program The Cardiac Catheterization RN provides care for the Veteran in the Electrophysiology or Cardiac Catheterization Suite. He/she provides direct patient care to the patients undergoing diagnostic, interventional, coronary, peripheral, and electrophysiology studies. He/she communicates with the physician on an ongoing basis about the patient's condition and medication for the procedure. He/she consistently assists with the maintenance of equipment and inventory. He/she assesses procedures rooms for equipment functioning and readiness prior to procedures. The Cardiac Catheterization RN obtains supplies for individual cases and assures all appropriate needs of the patient care team are met. He/she hemodynamically monitors, positions and assists patients during procedures. Optimize the compliance of safety utilization of including two patient identifiers and \"time outs\". Cardiac Catheterization RN's are to be Proficient in hemodynamic monitoring and electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation. Functions as a charge nurse to assume responsibility for patient care and patient flow of the Cardiac Catheterization patient on an assigned tour of duty. He/she provides specific information to help the patient/family understand pre-, intra-, and post-procedure activities. He/she functions as a preceptor assuming accountability and responsibility of the assigned orienteer's clinical development Initiates/participates in quality improvement activities that result in improved outcomes. Provides leadership in the application of the nursing process to patient care, organizational processes, and systems, and improves outcomes at the program or service level16."]
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.