Registered Nurse - Post Anesthesia Care Unit

Summary The Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Registered Nurse (RN) provides specialized care in the assessment - planning - implementing and evaluation of care throughout the peri anesthesia continuum to include the Pre anesthesia Phase - Post anesthesia Phase I - Post anesthesia Phase II - and extended care from sedation/analgesia and/or anesthesia for surgical - diagnostic - or therapeutic procedures. 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) 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: 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 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 Experience: 2-3 years of PACU or critical care experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - and sitting The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders 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 comply with any Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment This includes but is not limited to carrying/lifting 45 pounds and over walking and/or standing for eight hours at a time and kneeling and repeated bending throughout shift Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols. Responsibilities The Nurse II Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Registered Nurse (RN) provides specialized care in the assessment - planning - implementing and evaluation of care throughout the peri anesthesia continuum to include the Pre anesthesia Phase - Post anesthesia Phase I - Post anesthesia Phase II - and extended care from sedation/analgesia and/or anesthesia for surgical - diagnostic - or therapeutic procedures. The PACU RN possesses knowledge related to the physiology associated with various anesthesia techniques and surgical interventions. The PACU RN assesses and prepares patients for procedures appropriately. Performs clinical assessment of the patient and readily recognizes contraindication for anesthesia and/or surgical intervention. Duties Include: Leads the provision of nursing care to patients with complex care needs utilizing the nursing process in alignment with the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice. Applies clinical knowledge/judgment to lead staff involvement in planning - decision making - and evaluating outcomes within the immediate practice setting. Effectively functions as a leader - with demonstrated outcomes - for the immediate practice setting. Improves Veteran/patient driven care by resolving experience issues such as coordination of care - timeliness or process issues - common themes of dissatisfaction - or environment of care concerns for the immediate practice setting. Applies patient - family - and caregiver knowledge - values - and beliefs into care delivery without judgement or discrimination. Serves as an advocate for patients - families - and caregivers - improving outcomes for the immediate practice setting. Serves as a resource for patients - caregivers - and staff to address and resolve ethical issues in the immediate practice setting. Leads teams - contributes to team conferences - and actively collaborates in all phases of patient care planning. Successfully integrates objectives - opportunities - and resources. Demonstrates the ability to improve the effectiveness of communications and interactions with others - to inspire their cooperation and confidence to ensure safe and effective outcomes in the current practice setting. Effectively sets group goals and keeps self and team informed of the latest trends and developments. Inspires the cooperation and confidence of others. Demonstrates a high level of expertise. Expands knowledge base and practice evaluation through mentoring - precepting - and/or teaching to improve outcomes in the immediate practice setting. Leads education initiatives to expand knowledge with improved outcomes in the immediate practice setting Assesses the immediate practice setting to identify efficient - cost-effective care delivery Leads patient care improvement through monitoring - analyzing - and evaluating care outcomes in the immediate practice setting Leads initiatives for expanding best techniques to identify and apply patient preferences to shared care delivery decisions in the immediate practice settings. Benefits 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: Monday - Friday (On Call) Telework: This is not eligible for telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr