Registered Nurse - Spinal Cord injury

Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder Registered Nurse

The Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder (SCI/D) RN provides direct care for SCI/D patients with complex medical and surgical needs who are admitted for acute spinal cord injury, exacerbation of previous injuries, pre-operative, and post-operative procedures on the Spinal Cord Injury Unit. The Registered Nurse is a skilled practitioner with specialized knowledge of the pathophysiology, psychosocial and complex care needs of individuals with a spinal cord injury and disorder on the rehab unit. The RN is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. 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. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs. The role of the SCI/D RN is to work within an interdisciplinary framework to support and maintain the health, independence, quality of life, and productivity of veterans with spinal cord injury and disorders throughout their lives. These objectives are accomplished by providing excellence in quality of care and outcomes, sustaining medical and surgical care, promoting comfort and relief of pain, and patient and family education. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants, as appropriate to the setting.
• Assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation.
• Demonstrate leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.
• Evaluates practice in an ongoing process, based on best evidence.
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals
• Contributes professional nursing perspective in discussions with the interdisciplinary team.
• 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.
• Leads the implementation of high reliability principles and I CARE values to increase consistency of care delivered and improve patient outcomes.
• 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.
• Expands knowledge base and practice evaluation through mentoring, precepting, and/or teaching to improve outcomes.
• Leads patient care improvement through monitoring, analyzing, and evaluating care outcomes.

Preferred Experience: 1-3 years of acute care, med surg, acute/rehab spinal cord injury experience preferred. Certification in Med Surg/physical rehabilitation and/or other relevant certification is a plus.

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: Six 12-hour and one 8-hour shift per pay period. Minimal rotation day to night. Tours could include Days / Nights / Weekends / Holidays, and are subject to change based on the needs of the health care system.

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized