Registered Nurse (OR)

Summary

The Durham VA Healthcare System is seeking (3) highly skilled/experienced Registered Nurses to serve within our Operating Room. Demonstrates leadership - experience/ingenious approaches to management of complex patient care. Accountable for the management of patient care - human - fiscal/material resources - & the total environment of the unit. Responsible to ensure that the highest possible quality of care is achieved & a safe therapeutic environment.

Qualifications

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. 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: Minimum of 2 years successful nursing experience Minimum of 1 year current Operating Room experience Demonstrated Urology Experience Prior VA experience Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate & to maintain composure in stressful situations Demonstrated effectiveness in emergency situations Able to fulfill 30-minute response time when On Call 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:
• 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
• Preferred Level of Education: BSN Full performance level of this vacancy is Nurse III
• The actual grade an applicant may be selected for is Nurse I to Nurse III
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - sitting - lifting - carrying - pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands - both legs & repeated bending
• Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• & over) Heavy Carrying (45 lbs
• & over) Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours) Pushing (up to 4 hours) Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 8 hours) Standing (up to 8 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 8 hours) Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously
• Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters
• Correctable vision 20/40 in one eye
• Ability to distinguish basic colors & shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• Emotional & Mental Stability: The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening/testing - as a condition of employment.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills
• Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age-specific components
• 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
• Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care
• Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age specific components
• 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
• Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of complex client care
• Major functions and responsibilities of the Operating Room RN include but are not limited to: Proficient in both the circulator and scrub role within the OR and to be competent in all surgical specialties
• Maintains knowledge of current Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN) Standards - VHA Directives - and service level standard operating procedures
• Assures the sterility of the surgical field is maintained and all instrumentation and equipment in play is used in a safe and efficient manner
• Hours of operation for the operating rooms are from 7:30 am to 8 pm - Monday through Friday
• There are two call teams covering emergency call and are composed of two nursing staff members - a RN and the other will be a RN - or ORT
• The operating room is involved in the training of: Surgical residents from Duke University
• Nursing students from local program affiliated universities and colleges OR Tech from local affiliated technical programs CRNA students from Duke University Five Most Common Patient Problems Requiring Nursing Care
• The 5 include: Cadiothoracic Surgery - Coronary Artery Bypass Graft and valve replacements - General surgery: hernia repairs - open and laparoscopic procedures - and colectomies
• Cardiovascular: Carotid Endarterectomy and Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Stent/repair
• Genitourinary: Ureteroscopy with laser ablation of stones - Transurethral Resection of Bladder tumors - robotic surgery
• Lastly - Orthopedic: Total Joint Replacements and arthroscopic surgeries (knee and shoulder)
• Operating Room consists of 8 rooms for inpatient and outpatient surgeries with the following surgeries performed: Cardiac - Thoracic - General - Cardiovascular - Orthopedics - Plastic - Neurosurgery - Genitourinary - Gynecological - Eye - Dental - Podiatry - Bronchoscopy - Radiation Oncology - robotic surgery for 4 different specialties and ENT
• Competency in the operating room is assured by verification of relevant clinical skills for each specialty
• A RN - OR tech performs the scrub role
• Some cases may require an additional person in the role scrub or circulator depending on the complexity of the case
• 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: Monday through Friday
• 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m
• (10 hour shifts
• on call weekends) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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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.

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