Critical Care Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • Birmingham, AL

12h • Onsite

About The Position

The Critical Care Registered Nurse (RN) provides leadership and expert nursing care for acutely and critically ill patients who are at high risk for actual or potential life-threatening health problems, regardless of the nursing-care setting. The role requires extensive experience and knowledge, strong critical-thinking skills, and technically skilled practice to integrate theoretical concepts into complex patient-care situations.

The nurse collaborates in developing, implementing, evaluating, and revising policies, procedures, and guidelines. The role includes sharing knowledge with colleagues, providing constructive feedback to peers, fostering a safe and supportive environment for professional development, and evaluating outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations. The nurse is responsible for documented outcomes at the program or service level, which must be broad and complex and may be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility.

This position is part-time, Monday through Friday, 0700–1930, with rotating weekends and holidays. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation or recruitment incentives are not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to VHA eligibility and approval. Applicants must submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment; the program office determines approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years). Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

The position requires a current, full, active, and unrestricted nursing registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, and proficiency in written and spoken English. Nursing education must meet the stated VA accreditation or equivalency requirements. A pre-employment physical evaluation is required. The work includes direct patient care and physical activity such as extended periods of walking, standing, or sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying foreign nursing education with the required equivalency validation where applicable.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician appointment may be available to otherwise qualified candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education and experience criteria for the applicable VA Nurse grade and level.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Meet applicable U.S. citizenship or VA policy requirements for non-citizens.
• Pass required pre-employment drug screening for testing-designated positions and complete background/security and onboarding requirements.
• Comply with the VA seasonal influenza vaccination requirement.
• Complete application requirements detailed in the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• Three years of ICU experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and expert nursing care for acutely or critically ill patients at high risk for actual or potential life-threatening health problems, regardless of care setting.
• Collaborate in developing, implementing, evaluating, and revising policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Share knowledge with colleagues and support other nurses in providing safe, quality nursing care.
• Provide peers with formal or informal constructive feedback to support improvement.
• 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 broad and complex outcomes at the program or service level.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan reimbursement, subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• 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 up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree