Registered Nurse

Summary This position is located within VA Altoona's Urgent Care Center (UCC). The incumbent assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age‑specific components. Responsible 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. Qualifications English Language Proficiency: Per 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person may 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 ACEN or CCNE at the time of program completion. Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree may become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment after successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005 – Appendix G6) Foreign graduate of a professional nursing school: possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration meets the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. 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, Commonwealth, or District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who meet the basic education requirements but do not possess required licensure may be appointed at the entry step on a 120‑day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case‑by‑case basis). Grandfathering Provision: All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series performing the duties 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: Scope, Education, and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates and the level within a grade. Dimension requirements (Practice – Veteran/Patient Driven Care – Leadership – Professional Development and Evidence‑Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level in the online assessment. Nurse I – Level I: Delivers fundamental knowledge‑based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. Nurse I – Level II: Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills, and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex needs. Nurse I – Level III: Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning; self‑directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, kneeling, bending, pulling, and pushing; transferring patients and objects may be required; exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials may require protective clothing; exposure to combative patients secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders may occur; use of fingers and near and far vision is required. Preferred Experience: Emergency Department or Critical Care experience is preferred but not required. For more information on this qualification standard – visit Duties Execute position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex patient care. Collaborate in the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and/or guidelines. Demonstrate performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve care for a group of patients. Provide peers with formal or informal constructive feedback for improvement. Support colleagues and other nurses through knowledge sharing to provide safe, quality nursing care. Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of health care professionals. Evaluate outcomes of evidence‑based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations. Document outcomes at the program or service level; outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility. Perform other duties as assigned. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, 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 401(k) with up to 5% VA contributions; Insurance – Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many federal programs can be carried into retirement); Licensure – 1 full and unrestricted license from any U.S. State or Territory; Work Schedule – Full Time, rotating 12‑hour shifts; Telework – Not available; Virtual – Not a virtual position; Relocation/Recruitment Incentives – Not authorized; Permanent Change of Station – Not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr