Registered Nurse (Perioperative)

Summary The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VCBHCS) – Harlingen, TX is seeking a Registered Nurse (Peroperative Section) to demonstrate advanced clinical knowledge in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating care for designated patients. Qualifications Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency – proficiency in basic written and spoken English is required for direct patient‑care positions. Graduate of a nursing school approved by an accrediting agency such as ACEN or CCNE, or a master’s‑level bridge program graduate who has completed equivalent coursework to a bachelor’s degree. Upon achieving a state license may be appointed on a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment after completing the bridge program. Foreign nursing school graduates must possess a current full, active, and unrestricted registration and, if the education is higher than an associate degree, must provide formal equivalency validation from a recognized evaluator such as ICD. Current full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, or Commonwealth (e.g., Puerto Rico) or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: candidates who meet basic education but lack licensure may be appointed on a 120‑day temporary basis while pursuing licensure (potentially extendable up to two years). Grandfathering applies to existing VHA employees in 0610 series as of 1/29/2024. Preferred Experience: 2+ years in a Post‑Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Perioperative experience. Pre‑OP and 2+ years in Ambulatory Surgery. Grade/Level Scope and Education Criteria: Level I – Basic care delivery. Eligible with an Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing; no additional professional nursing experience required. Level II – Integration of biopsychosocial concepts with at least 1 year of specialized nursing experience (or a BSN with no additional experience). Level III – Proficiency in practice based on deliberate planning; requires an ADN or Diploma with 2 years of professional experience, OR a BSN with 1 year of experience. Level IV – Leadership in holistic care delivery; requires a BSN with 2 years of professional experience or an MSN with equivalent experience. Level V – Advanced leadership and management of complex client care; requires an MSN with 2 years of specialized experience or a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no additional professional experience. Related fields – a master’s in a related discipline with a BSN may substitute for clinical degrees if no professional nursing experience is required. Foreign education programs/degrees are not recognized as related degrees. Reference: For more information on qualification standards, visit VA Qualification Standards . Duties Maintain effective working relationships with patients, visitors, professionals, and support personnel within or outside the perioperative area; accountable for patient outcomes. Adhere to Standard Operating Procedures and policies related to the relevant specialty. Participate in quality improvement processes and SOP development; maintain knowledge of multidisciplinary resources and refer patients as appropriate. Conduct pre‑appointment reminders and provide preoperative instructions specific to procedures. Evaluate patient needs and facilitate self‑care education; screen for social services and coordinate referrals. Provide nursing support to the PASS (Pre‑Anesthesia Surgical Screening) clinic and complete documentation. Ensure all required pre‑procedure tests are completed in a timely manner and conduct pre‑surgical assessments via face‑to‑face, telephone, or video modalities. Educate patients and families prior to surgery regarding expectations, preparation, and the plan of care. Collaborate with the interdisciplinary surgical team to ensure quality patient care. Complete pre‑procedure checklists, verify patient charts, and confirm correct procedure/surgical site and consent. Assess and prepare patients for procedures, provide IV access and therapy, and participate in the pre‑procedural team huddle and surgical site marking. Facilitate proper handoffs between perioperative and surgical teams. Provide care under moderate sedation, ensuring patient safety and responding to adverse events. Manage postoperative patients, including airway management, hemodynamic stabilization, line patency, neurological assessment, pain management, emotional support, and discharge safety. Conduct continuous hemodynamic monitoring for patients requiring vasoactive medications. Monitor for adverse reactions to anesthesia or surgical complications and intervene appropriately; keep the surgical team informed of patient progress. Inform patients and families of patient status. Perform fall risk assessments and assist patients with mobility needs. Complete discharge instructions and plans of care upon disposition. Execute discharge when criteria are met; remove IV cannulas, monitor leads, and ID bracelets, and dispose appropriately. Escort patients to their vehicles at discharge. Conduct post‑procedure follow‑up calls and document findings promptly; maintain nursing documentation in CPRS, Vista, and Innovian. Close encounter notes for each patient. Schedule Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Benefits Competitive salary with regular increases and potential performance awards. VA Nurse Total Rewards package, including 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays). Traditional federal pension with 5‑year vesting. Federal 401(k) with up to 5 % VA contribution. Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care, and other insurance programs, many of which can be carried into retirement. Fully unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory required. #J-18808-Ljbffr