Outpatient Registered Nurse - Surgical Clinics

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/13112965.

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

03Physical Requirements

This position may include a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting. There may also be extended periods of sitting or standing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols using mechanical lifts that are provided.

The Outpatient Staff Registered Nurse (RN) in the Surgery Clinic, Nursing, Perioperative Department at the Carl T. Hayden Veterans Administration Medical Center exemplifies leadership, clinical expertise, and innovation in managing complex outpatient care. This RN is responsible and accountable for all aspects of the nursing process related to delivering and supervising direct patient care.

Responsibilities include coordinating care with a focus on patient education, self-management, and enhancing patient satisfaction across the continuum of care. The nurse administers medications and performs procedures in accordance with established policies and protocols, while promoting improved care outcomes through collaboration with interdisciplinary team members. Key duties include actively participating in unit- or program-level quality improvement initiatives and customer service programs.

The Outpatient Staff RN provides competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients in the outpatient setting and oversees licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate. This role ensures smooth patient transitions by coordinating care, facilitating patient and family education, supporting post-discharge self-management, and improving factors that contribute to patient satisfaction.

The RN assists in directing nursing education, orientation, competency assessments, and quality improvement initiatives, including outcomes utilization consultation. Demonstrating leadership, the nurse partners with colleagues to advance holistic outpatient care, continually evaluating practices based on current best evidence. Supporting peers through knowledge sharing, the nurse promotes safe, high-quality outpatient nursing care and contributes educational insights and experiences.

The RN critically evaluates outpatient clinical practices to maintain evidence-based care and engages in initiatives that foster a culture of evidence-based practice.

The Outpatient Staff RN supports Veterans, their families, and caregivers in accessing appropriate services tailored to their complex healthcare needs, including acute, chronic, multiple, complex, catastrophic, or life-threatening conditions; combat stress; residual effects of traumatic brain injury; community adjustment; addictions; and related concerns.

This role involves coordinating care across multiple providers and service sites to ensure seamless integration within Veterans Affairs (VA) and community programs, maintaining continuity of care for patients. The RN addresses psychosocial, nursing, and medical needs of patients and their families or caregivers through active participation in the interdisciplinary care team, facilitating and expediting the care process from diagnosis through treatment.

Responsibilities include reviewing and managing laboratory and radiology results, providing timely information to providers, and utilizing databases for population management to monitor patient care throughout all care episodes. The nurse assesses care delivery and outcomes to ensure timely and appropriate services. Advocating for comprehensive care, the RN collaborates with providers to develop and implement patient and family educational plans tailored to individual needs.

The nurse also contributes to the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and guidelines. Demonstrating leadership and performance that enhance care quality, the RN provides formal and informal constructive feedback to peers to support continuous improvement. The nurse evaluates outcomes of evidence-based practices and implements changes for individuals, groups, and populations.

The RN is responsible for documenting broad and complex outcomes at the program or service level, ensuring these can be demonstrated across organizational levels within the facility.

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: 7:30 AM-4:00PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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