Acute Care Critical Care Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • Bay Pines, FL

22h • Onsite

About The Position

The Acute Care Critical Care Nurse provides direct, evidence-based care to acutely and critically ill patients at high risk for actual or potential life-threatening health problems. The nurse uses high-intensity care and vigilance, develops assessment skills, and integrates information from invasive and noninvasive monitoring technology. The role requires deliberate planning, sound judgment, critical thinking, and the ability to manage complex situations and competing priorities.

The nurse coordinates care focused on patient education, self-management, and satisfaction across the continuum of care; administers medications and performs procedures according to established policies and guidelines; and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to influence patient outcomes. The role also includes oversight of licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate, supporting nursing education, orientation, competencies, quality improvement, and utilization to enhance outcomes. The nurse is expected to develop leadership skills, participate in unit or organizational Shared Governance councils, and use clinical expertise and evidence-based practice to improve care for Veterans.

The work schedule is 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. with weekend rotation. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate. The position may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program requirements and approval.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying education under the stated VA provisions.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician appointment may be possible for otherwise qualified candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education and professional nursing experience requirements for the applicable VA Nurse grade and level.
• Ability to work effectively in stressful situations and shift priorities according to patient needs.
• Ability to complete a pre-employment physical evaluation and comply with the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• U.S. citizenship, except where non-citizens may be appointed under VA policy.
• Satisfy applicable background/security investigation, onboarding, and other pre-employment requirements.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Two to three years of critical care experience within the last three years.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• National nursing certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent, evidence-based nursing care to assigned patients, including acutely and critically ill patients at high risk for life-threatening health problems.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Administer medications and perform procedures in accordance with established policies and guidelines.
• Provide high-intensity care and vigilance, refining assessments and integrating data from invasive and noninvasive monitoring technology.
• Use nursing knowledge, skills, judgment, critical thinking, and deliberate planning to manage complex patient situations and competing priorities.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence patient outcomes.
• Oversee licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate to the setting.
• Assist in directing nursing education, orientation, and competency activities, and contribute to quality improvement and utilization efforts to enhance outcomes.
• Develop basic leadership skills by seeking additional leadership experiences within the unit.
• Participate in unit-based and/or organizational Shared Governance councils, applying clinical expertise and evidence-based practice to help resolve issues and improve care for Veterans.
• Complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.
• Possible relocation or recruitment incentives for a highly qualified candidate.
• Potential eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program, which may reimburse student loan payments up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and program approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree