Perioperative Services- Nurse Educator

Summary The Nurse Perioperative Educator is responsible for providing expert evidence‑based education to staff. Provides educational instruction and training for nursing staff in Perioperative Services. The Perioperative Nurse Educator understands instructional design, implementation, and application related to education and training. Designs, implements, and evaluates comprehensive orientation programs for new perioperative nursing staff – including RNs, LPNs, and unlicensed assistive personnel. Qualifications 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 ACEN or CCNE at the time the program was completed OR individuals attending a master’s level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse before 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) 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: 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 experience 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 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 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: Minimum 5 years of Operating Room (OR) experience required CNOR certification (Reference: 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 Examples may include but are not limited to: Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols – position specific duties/expectations are detailed in the associated competency and should be performed once the competency has been validated This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments. Duties The Perioperative Nurse Educator is responsible for the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of educational programs that support perioperative nursing practice within the VA Medical Center The Perioperative Nurse Educator ensures staff competency, regulatory compliance, patient safety, and evidence‑based practice across all perioperative services This role supports onboarding, ongoing education, clinical competency validation, performance improvement initiatives, and interprofessional collaboration to optimize surgical outcomes for Veterans The Perioperative Nurse Educator functions as a clinical expert, consultant, mentor, and change agent – aligning perioperative education with VA standards, The Joint Commission requirements, AORN guidelines, and evidence‑based best practices Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising staff education Delivers a fundamental understanding of adult learning principles and is a lifelong learner that can practice with flexibility to adapt or change learning strategies based on the assessment of learning needs within the healthcare organization Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates educational needs to facilitate learner development and skill training of surgical staff Utilizes innovative teaching strategies – assessment skills – and evaluation of outcomes Assumes responsibility for the coordination of education focused on staff education – self‑management – and customer satisfaction throughout the healthcare continuum Follows 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 department‑level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex situations Provides ongoing education for new and existing OR staff – addressing new equipment, procedures, policies, and regulatory updates Develops and delivers competency‑based education aligned with AORN, VA, and national perioperative standards Maintains annual competency assessments – skills validation – and documentation for all Perioperative personnel Identifies learning needs through performance data, staff feedback, and quality indicators Serves as a clinical resource and subject matter expert for perioperative nursing practice Provides real‑time coaching and mentoring to staff in the clinical environment 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: Full‑Time Monday‑Friday – The work schedule is flexible The incumbent may be required to begin work earlier than the established tour of duty Typical alternate tour of duty hours include: 0700‑1530; 0730‑1600; and 0800‑1630 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 Direct Jobs