Specialty Care Registered Nurse-North Santa Rosa

01Basic 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 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 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 that 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.

02Grade 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: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13097971.

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 additional 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 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.

03Preferred Experience

2 years of specialty care and outpatient experience. Salary for this position ranges dependent upon applicant qualifications Grade 1, Levels 1-3: $153,887-$204,663 annually Grade 2: $176,969-$228,000 annually Grade 3: $194,665-$228,000 annually Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

04Physical Requirements

This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The position requires potentially, long periods of combined walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable or working effectively in stressful situation, able to shift priorities based on needs of the organization. The incumbent may be required to travel occasionally.

This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments. Telework is position dependent and appropriate approvals are required; telework is not guaranteed and incumbent must comply with all regulations relevant to telework agreements, policies, and processes. If a position requires driving, incumbent is required to maintain compliance with all relevant policies and processes.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The nurse collaborates with physicians, advanced practice providers, licensed vocational nurses, medical support staff, and other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team to ensure safe, timely, high-quality, and Veteran-centered care.

Responsibilities include clinical assessment, care coordination, medication management, patient triage, documentation, and follow-up of diagnostic testing and treatment plans in accordance with Department of Veterans Affairs policies, nursing standards, and applicable regulatory requirements. Duties and responsibilities include: Conduct comprehensive and focused nursing assessments, including medical history, medication reconciliation, vital signs, pain assessment, and evaluation of current symptoms.

• Identify changes in patients' health status and initiate appropriate nursing interventions, escalation, and referrals.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized nursing care plans based on assessment findings, provider orders, and established clinical guidelines.
• Provide direct nursing care to Veterans with acute, chronic, and complex medical conditions in an outpatient setting.
• Assist with specialty clinic visits, examinations, treatments, procedures, and other clinical interventions within the nurse's assigned scope of practice and demonstrated competencies.
• Prepare patients for diagnostic testing and specialty procedures, including providing pre-procedure instructions and completing required nursing assessments.
• Monitor patients before, during, and after procedures or treatments as appropriate to the assigned clinic.

Coordinate referrals, consultations, and follow-up appointments to support continuity of care. Assess incoming patient concerns by telephone, secure messaging, or in-person contact, using established triage protocols and clinical judgment. Determine the urgency of patient needs and facilitate appropriate appointments, clinical evaluations, emergency interventions, or referrals. Communicate significant clinical findings and changes in patient condition to the appropriate healthcare provider.

Coordinate follow-up for abnormal diagnostic results, missed appointments, pending consultations, and unresolved patient care needs. Administer medications and treatments in accordance with provider orders, VA policies, and applicable nursing standards. Monitor patients for therapeutic responses, adverse reactions, and potential medication-related complications. Provide education regarding prescribed medications, treatment plans, adherence, and potential side effects.

Support medication reconciliation and communicate identified discrepancies or concerns to the appropriate healthcare provider. Educate Veterans and their caregivers regarding diagnoses, treatment plans, disease prevention, medication use, and self-management strategies. Reinforce provider instructions and explain follow-up care, warning signs, and when to seek urgent medical attention. Assess patient understanding, health literacy, and barriers to care, adapting education to individual needs.

Promote preventive healthcare, wellness, and adherence to recommended treatment plans. Maintain accurate, timely, and complete nursing documentation in the VA electronic health record. Document assessments, interventions, patient education, telephone encounters, clinical communications, and follow-up activities. Review patient records, laboratory results, diagnostic reports, and treatment plans to support safe and coordinated care.

Follow infection prevention and control practices, medication safety procedures, patient identification requirements, and established clinical protocols. Recognize and respond appropriately to medical emergencies and changes in patient condition. Report patient safety concerns, adverse events, and identified risks through established VA reporting processes. Support daily clinic operations by preparing examination rooms, verifying equipment readiness, maintaining supplies, and ensuring a safe clinical environment.

Assist with patient flow, appointment preparation, and coordination of nursing services to promote timely access to care.

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: Full-time; 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized