Registered Nurse - Dialysis

Summary The Dialysis Nurse is a clinical expert who uses advanced specialized knowledge and judgement for delivery of high quality and evidence-based care to patients with late-stage chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, and end-stage renal disease. The scope of assignments includes direct care, clinical consultation, leadership, educational components, and evidence-based research. They provide leadership in case management for Veterans. The position requires weekend/holiday/on-call rotations. Qualifications 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) 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 a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program (Reference VA Handbook 5005 – Appendix G6) 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 than 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: 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 and no 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 a 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 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 Experience: 2 years of inpatient or outpatient dialysis unit experience. Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care – and potentially long periods of walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling. Duties Carry out inpatient and outpatient dialysis nursing duties independently and in a professional manner – without immediate or continuous supervision. Document, verify, and ensure implementation of physician orders – Perform ongoing systematic collection and analysis of patient data pre, during, and post hemodialysis treatment for assigned patients and document in the patient medical record. Adjust or modify the treatment plan as indicated and notify Renal Providers as needed. Perform Renal Replacement Therapies as assigned – Administer medications and intravenous solutions as ordered. Maintain records and report outcomes according to facility policy. Participate in emergency care as needed – Provide and document pre-ESRD transplant support and other pertinent patient education according to facility policy – Comply with all governing standards as required for inpatient and outpatient treatment. Maintain all required competencies and certifications. Utilize the established nursing process to make recommendations for patient care. Evaluate delivery of care and communicate to appropriate facility personnel and any relevant data to the multidisciplinary teams to facilitate continuity of care especially during scheduled plan of care meetings. Cover all on-call duties as scheduled or needed – Cover all duties as backup for Peritoneal Hemodialysis duties as needed – Assist proactively with inventory needs. Monitor water quality treatment system – Culturing – and disinfection of equipment following all infection control policies – May participate in CRRT education with facility critical care nurses – Participate in facility committees. Precept new Renal Dialysis Unit (RDU) staff as needed. Submit accurate time records, treatment records and other supporting documentation per policy. Understand and follow facility employment policies and procedures – Document/communicate estimated time of arrival and confirm assigned patient’s consent for treatment – Treatment orders – presence and patency of vascular access – overall patient condition. Communicate and document changes in patient treatment plan and any other pertinent clinical information with the appropriate RDU staff and providers prior to, during, and after patient care in order to assure continuity of patient care. Communicate vascular access complications with the designated RDU staff so appropriate corrective actions can be taken. Oversee, supervise, verify, and monitor implementation of correct hemodialysis prescription pre/during/post treatment performed by care technicians. Perform and supervise required testing – verification and initial checklist for startup – maintenance and shutdown of the Renal Dialysis Unit Water System. Delegate appropriate tasks to patient care technicians. Initiate or lead or assist with emergency response measures. Notify RDU clinical manager and/or charge nurse of inventory and equipment needs – Ensure correct laboratory collection are performed and reschedule missed or insufficient laboratory collections. Benefits & Compensation VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards, 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays), 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: 0400–1430 with weekend/holiday/on call rotations. Compressed/flexible: Eight 10‑hour shifts per 2‑week pay period. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/recruitment incentives: Not authorized. Permanent change of station (PCS): Not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr