Advanced Practice Nurse (Interventional Radiology Nurse Practitioner)

Summary

The incumbent is a qualified Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who serves as a licensed independent practitioner within the Imaging Service at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System, providing outpatient and inpatient specialty care for Veterans undergoing diagnostic imaging, fluoroscopy, interventional radiology (IR), and contrast enhanced examinations. The APRN functions in a role comparable to other advanced practice providers within Diagnostic Imaging.

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Duties

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Major duties and responsibilities of the position:

- Provides in-house coverage for general fluoroscopic examinations and independently operates fluoroscopy equipment in accordance with approved clinical privileges and radiation safety standards, including ALARA principles.

- Reviews imaging orders, consults, and procedure requests for appropriateness; performs focused history and physical examinations; determines readiness for diagnostic imaging and/or interventional procedures; writing orders for diagnostic and/or interventional procedures; post-procedural care and follow up with patients.

- Obtains informed consent for diagnostic and interventional imaging procedures, including high-risk contrast studies.

- Manages high-risk contrast usage, including patients with mild to moderate contrast allergy requiring premedication and those with impaired renal function; evaluates laboratory values and medical history to determine appropriateness of contrast administration.

- Responds to and manages contrast reactions within Imaging Service: performs clinical assessment, initiates treatment per protocol, coordinates escalation of care with Code Assist and Code Blue teams, determines patient disposition, and ensures appropriate discharge planning or transfer.

- Performs lnterventional Radiology procedures within approved scope of practice and under the direction of the Radiologist with documented competencies, including but not limited to ultrasound-guided paracentesis, thoracentesis, fine needle aspiration(thyroid/lymph nodes), arthrocentesis, and arthrography.

- Assess lab values/contraindications.

- Provides on-call lR coverage, including triage of urgent and emergent cases and performance of procedures limited to granted competencies and privileges.

- Serves as secondary in-house clinical coverage for pacemaker MRI and minimal sedation MRI cases; assists with patient screening, monitoring, and emergency response as indicated.- Protocoling and advising on Radiology orders.

- Documents all patient assessments, procedures, treatments, and clinical outcomes in the electronic health record (EHR) accurately and in a timely manner.

- Ensures high-quality patient care is delivered in a resource efficient manner.

- Complies with VHA regulations, professional standards, ethical conduct, and Medical Staff Bylaws; adheres to West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System policies, Joint Commission standards, and applicable regulations, including mandatory trainings, BLS requirements, maintenance of licensure/certification/registration, timely completion of unsigned/un-cosigned notes, and credentialing and privileging.

- Promotes an environment of system-oriented continuous quality improvement (CQI); actively participates in long- and short-term goals supporting the mission; establishes and maintains effective, harmonious relationships with peers.

- Provides education, mentorship, and clinical guidance to nursing staff, technologists, trainees, and new advanced practice providers.

- Follows duties assigned by the Section Chief and/or Chief of Imaging.

- Participation in educational activities such as seminars, continuing education, and grand rounds.

- Participation in employee education programs supporting organizational learning and development at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System.

- Other tasks as assigned.

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 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications

Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Basic Requirements

• Education: A post-master's certificate or master's or doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. (Applicants pending the completion of educational requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until the education requirements are met.) Must be a 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).
  • NOTE: Foreign Education. Graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing programs, the nurse practitioner degree equivalency must be validated through an Agency recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency, such as the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Candidates with equivalent nurse practitioner masters or doctorate level degrees who possess current, full, active, and unrestricted registration and certification will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment.
• License and Certification:
  • License. All APN (NPs) must possess and maintain an active, current, full, and unrestricted APN license to practice as an NP in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
  • Basic Certification. All APN (NPs) must maintain full and current board certification in an area of clinical specialty from one of the following: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), or other nationally recognized certifying body in the area in which the Nurse Practitioner is academically prepared.

NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and an APN (NP) assignment that are also 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.

The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) II:

Exception to Licensure for Graduate Nurse Technicians. Candidates who otherwise meet the basic requirements, but do not possess the required licensure and/or certification, may be appointed at the entry step of the Nurse II, as a Graduate Nurse Technician - Nurse Practitioner on a temporary appointment up to any period not-to-exceed one year and a day under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2)(B).

• Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for APN (NP). Nurse II is considered the entry grade level for APN (NPs); no experience is required.
• Dimension Requirement: APNs (NPs) at level II are expected to meet the following dimension requirements:
  • Clinical Practice. Delivers evidence-based health care, demonstrating proficiency in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program.
  • Outcome Focus. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to evaluate the patient care delivery system within a patient panel or program, presents findings and contributes to changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of veteran/patient care.
  • Leadership. Works effectively as a leader within a team/unit/group and seeks interdisciplinary collaboration as appropriate to enhance patient care.
  • Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills to develop expertise in area of practice.
  • Professionalism/Collegiality. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork. Participates in interdisciplinary teams and processes that positively impact patient outcomes.

The following Scope, Education and Experience, and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) III:

• Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care.
• Education and Experience Requirement: Meets basic education requirement for an APN (NP) AND one year of specialized APN (NP) experience equivalent to the Nurse II grade level.
• Dimension Requirement: APN (Nurse Practitioners) at grade III are expected to meet the following dimension requirements:
  • Clinical Practice. Influences and models the delivery of evidence- based health care, demonstrating expertise in the ability to manage a patient panel, population, or program.
  • Outcome Focus. Leads and implements changes that enhance the quality and timeliness of Veteran/patient care applying research and evidence in the delivery of healthcare for patient populations.
  • Leadership. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams informed by structured approaches and processes to improve outcomes that positively impact care for a patient panel, population, or program.
  • Professional Development. Acquires knowledge and skills, then disseminates acquired information within and/or outside the medical facility.
  • Professionalism/Collegiality. Initiates and leads interdisciplinary teams developing systems that positively impact outcomes at the panel, population, or program level. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior, promoting cooperation and teamwork

Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by advanced practice nurses such as physical assessment, 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 patients- Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols

Additional information

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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