Perioperative Register Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • White River Junction, VT

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This full-time Registered Nurse position is within the Nursing Perioperative Service line at the VA White River Junction Healthcare System in White River Junction, Vermont. The Peri Anesthesia Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) RN provides specialized care across the peri-anesthesia continuum, including pre-anesthesia, Post Anesthesia Phase I, Post Anesthesia Phase II, and extended care following sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia for surgical, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures.

The RN maintains knowledge of current American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) standards, VHA directives, and service-level procedures. The position requires comprehensive, timely, complete, and accurate documentation of all phases of care in the electronic health record. The nurse is accountable for the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care, coordinating care and patient education, supporting self-management and customer satisfaction, administering medications and procedures according to policy, and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team. The RN also participates in unit- and program-level quality improvement and customer service initiatives, and applies knowledge of anesthesia-related physiology and surgical interventions to assess patients and recognize contraindications to anesthesia or surgery. On-call duties may be required.

The schedule is Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, with 8- and 10-hour shifts. Weekends and holidays are not scheduled. Compressed or flexible scheduling and telework are not available; this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to VHA eligibility requirements and 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.

Candidates must meet VA nursing education and licensure requirements, including graduation from an appropriately accredited nursing program and current, full, active, unrestricted RN registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. A temporary Graduate Nurse Technician appointment may be possible for otherwise qualified candidates pursuing licensure. Grade assignment depends on education, nursing experience, and the applicable VA grade-level criteria. Applicants must also meet English proficiency requirements and be physically able to perform the duties. The position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from a professional nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or another education pathway specified in the VA nursing qualification requirements.
• 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 eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the applicable VA Nurse grade and level requirements for education, professional nursing experience, and performance dimensions.
• Physically able to satisfactorily perform the duties and complete a pre-placement physical examination.
• U.S. citizenship is required unless appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Selected applicants are subject to pre-employment drug testing, background/security investigation, onboarding requirements, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Meet other applicable federal employment requirements, including Selective Service registration for males born after December 31, 1959.

Nice To Haves

• Three to five years of PACU or Same Day experience.
• Conscious sedation experience.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide and/or supervise direct patient care and remain accountable for all elements of the nursing process.
• Provide specialized care across the peri-anesthesia continuum, including pre-anesthesia, post-anesthesia Phase I and Phase II, and extended care following sedation, analgesia, or anesthesia.
• 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.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence patient care outcomes.
• Document all phases of care comprehensively, accurately, and in a timely manner in the electronic health record.
• Maintain knowledge of current ASPAN standards, VHA directives, and service-level standard operating procedures.
• Participate actively in unit- and program-level quality improvement processes and initiatives, as well as customer service programs.
• Apply knowledge of physiology associated with anesthesia techniques and surgical interventions to assess patients and recognize contraindications to anesthesia or surgical intervention.
• Perform on-call duties if required.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility, with a potential award of up to $200,000 for an approved period of one to five years.
• 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.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.

What This Job Offers

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