Registered Nurse - Community Living Center

Veterans Health Administration • Lyons, NJ

17h • Onsite

About The Position

The VA New Jersey Health Care System is recruiting several Registered Nurses for temporary, intermittent work at the Lyons Medical Center with the Community Living Centers/Long Term Care team. The Community Living Center Registered Nurse provides competent, evidence-based care to assigned residents and oversees licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate to the care setting.

The RN is responsible for all elements of the nursing process while providing or supervising direct patient care. The role coordinates care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care, and administers medications and procedures in accordance with established policies and guidelines. The RN collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and participates in unit- or program-level quality improvement and customer service initiatives.

The CLC RN screens Veterans and conducts initial assessments before admission, then evaluates residents upon admission to the restorative care program and quarterly thereafter. The RN establishes and implements measurable functional goals to help Veterans reach their highest level of function and maximize independence. The position also supports restorative nursing program staff through mentoring, coaching, and development of clinical skills.

The position is temporary, not to exceed one year, and intermittent. Day, evening, and night tours are available and will be discussed at interview. Compressed or flexible schedules, telework, and virtual work are not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying equivalent nursing education as described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN registration in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; an eligible Graduate Nurse Technician exception is described in the announcement.
• Meet the education, experience, and dimension criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• Ability to meet the position’s physical requirements, including visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, and manual dexterity.
• Ability to tolerate potentially long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; transferring patients and objects may be required.
• Ability to work effectively in stressful situations, shift priorities based on patient needs, and maintain a mature, flexible, and sensible approach.
• Complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing.
• Meet pre-employment conditions, including a physical evaluation, background/security investigation, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• U.S. citizenship is required unless recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position must submit to urinalysis; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete the online onboarding process and all application requirements detailed in the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Current professional nursing experience in a community living center, sub-acute care, behavioral health, or long-term care setting.
• Experience with dementia care, suicide risk, infection prevention, and end-of-life care.
• Experience providing Veteran-centered nursing care to people with complex medical, functional, cognitive, and behavioral health needs.
• Experience completing assessments and developing, implementing, and evaluating individualized care plans.

Responsibilities

• Provide and supervise direct patient care, completing all elements of the nursing process.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Administer medications and procedures according to established policies and guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and participate in quality improvement and customer service initiatives.
• Screen Veterans and conduct initial assessments before admission to the restorative care program.
• Evaluate patients upon admission to the restorative care program and quarterly thereafter to determine program potential and progress.
• Develop and implement measurable functional goals that support Veterans’ independence and highest level of function.
• Collaborate with educators, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy to recruit and admit patients, develop goals, evaluate progress, and adjust therapy, goals, or activities as needed.
• Complete restorative nursing sections of the Minimum Data Set (MDS), including observation periods, quarterly reassessments, and significant changes in care.
• Collaborate in developing, implementing, evaluating, and revising policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Demonstrate performance and leadership that improve care for restorative residents.
• Serve as a role model, mentor, and coach, and provide developmental opportunities for program staff to gain restorative nursing skills and expertise.
• Implement restorative nursing strategies and programs consistent with facility mission, vision, policies, goals, and objectives.
• Provide constructive feedback, share knowledge with colleagues, and foster a safe, supportive environment for professional development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The announcement describes a comprehensive VA Nurse Total Rewards package and a federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree