Registered Nurse- Clinical Operations Support Team (COST)

Overview The Registered Nurse (RN) - Clinical Operations Support Team (COST) demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. 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 congruent with the area of assigned care. 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 OR individuals attending a master7s level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor7s 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 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 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 an associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA 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 Preferred Experience: Emergency Department (ED) - ICU - Urgent Care - and/or Military Medic Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties described in the qualification standard (effective 1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements Grade Determinations: The following scope - education and dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment The online assessment details the Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research): Nurse I - Level I: ADN or Diploma in Nursing Nurse I - Level II: ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience OR BSN with no additional experience Nurse I - Level III: ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience OR BSN with 1 year of professional nursing experience OR MSN with no additional professional nursing experience OR related field with BSN Nurse II: BSN with 2 years of professional nursing experience OR MSN with 1 year OR related field with BSN and 1 year Nurse III: MSN with 2 years of specialized nursing experience OR related field with BSN and 2 years of experience OR Doctoral degree in Nursing with various combinations of experience Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, visit Physical Requirements: Requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity; may require long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; may involve transferring patients and objects; may expose to infected patients and contaminated materials; may require donning protective clothing Duties The Registered Nurse (RN) functions in all areas of care - in patient, outpatient clinics, and community / field units The COST RN functions as a charge nurse - vaccinator - clinical overseer of lower level staff - monitors patients during procedures and scans - performs monitored transport activities The RN provides competent - evidence-based care to assigned patients They delegate and supervise basic nursing care of licensed practical nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel The nurse directs nursing education - orientation - competencies and contributes to quality improvement and outcomes utilization Provides routine - urgent and emergent care to patients with acute and/or chronic medical - surgical - and psychiatric conditions Nursing care ranges from basic to stabilization, resuscitation, and life-support measures Integrates knowledge - skills - abilities - and judgment; self-directed in goal setting for managing complex situations Validates understanding of the rationale for care processes and decisions Demonstrates expanded knowledge of the nursing process in care of assigned patients and vaccines Develops basic leadership skills within the unit Questions clinical practices to provide evidence-based care Demonstrates the ability to cope with and manage competing priorities The COST RN is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process Assesses patients by collecting pertinent data and triaging if certified to determine priority of care Develops diagnoses, problems, or other concerns from assessment data; identifies expected outcomes to develop a collaborative and individualized plan Implements the plan - including care coordination - health teaching - and health promotion per area procedures Evaluates progress and adjusts the plan as necessary using team resources and established protocols Accountable to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services (ADPCS) Pay: Competitive salary with regular increases and potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions by VA Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Full-Time - Mon-Sun (12-hr shifts and one 8-hr) 0600-1830 as needed Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr