Medical Specialty Care - Outpatient Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • Cape Coral, FL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Specialty Care Nurse is responsible for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care. Assumes responsibility 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. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• 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.)
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting.
• The nurse may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing.
• The nurse may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.
• The nurse must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.
• In the performance of duties, the nurse may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Nice To Haves

• 3 years of out patient experience and/or, 1 year experience in specialty care clinics such as cardiology clinic.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent, evidence-based specialty care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants, as appropriate to the clinical setting.
• Provide patient care, care coordination, health promotion, health education and coaching on wellness, disease prevention, and chronic care management.
• Assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization.
• Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic, specialty care through collaborative strategies with others.
• Evaluates practice in an ongoing process, based on best evidence.
• Responsible for participating within unit based and/or organizational level Shared Governance councils, utilizing clinical expertise, evidence-based practice, and knowledge to assist with finding solutions to problems or issues to improve the quality care provided to our veterans.
• Documents in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR), participates in education events, and performs other duties as assigned by the Nurse Manager.
• Administers, initiates, completes and/or follow up nursing referrals; documents and reports significant patient information; uses patient care equipment in a safe and appropriate manner and assures proper maintenance of Reusable Medical Devices (RMD); provides patient education and correctly documents findings.
• Must have a general knowledge of medications and treatments commonly used in their discipline, knowledge of community resources specific to their patient needs, knowledge of the consult and referral process, and provision of emotional support to patient and families.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
• 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

What This Job Offers

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