Registered Nurse (Community Living Center)

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. 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 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 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 than 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 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 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: 1–2 years of Long Term Care preferred Experience 1–2 years of Rehab Experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit Physical Requirements: All applicants must be physically able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position A pre‑placement physical examination shall be completed prior to appointment. Duties These Registered Nurse positions are in the Nursing services at the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System – located at the Leeds – MA location These positions are full time at 40 hours per week Delivers safe care to assigned patients Safely and effectively uses patient care equipment Correctly and safely performs nursing procedures Recognizes overt abnormal signs and symptoms and/or changes in patients' condition and responds appropriately Implements physician's/provider's orders in a timely and complete manner Implements nursing interventions/orders in a timely and complete manner Completes initial assessment of patient condition and response to treatment and initiates follow‑up as needed Includes the patient and family/significant other in developing the initial plan of care and establishing goals Documents the nursing process Uses the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) – Essentris – Clinical Procedures – and Bar Coded Medication Administration (BCMA) software per policy – as well as any future patient documentation programs May act as charge nurse and is responsible for appropriate delegation of care to both licensed and non‑licensed personnel; may be responsible for the medication pass. Work Schedule: 11:30 p.m – 08:00 a.m with rotating weekends/holidays/days off and subject to other tours as needed Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive Contact View email address on click.appcast.io – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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 Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service This position is covered by a special rate The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position For more information – refer to Required Documents below. If you are a current federal employee – you are required to attach your Most Recent non‑award SF‑50. This should be an SF‑50 from the current calendar year which shows your current position – grade and step. Award SF‑50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards #J-18808-Ljbffr