Registered Nurse (Critical Care)

Veterans Health Administration • Oklahoma City, OK

23h • Onsite

About The Position

The Critical Care Registered Nurse provides direct patient care as the primary nurse for an assignment of one to three patients, collaborating with nursing staff, physicians, and other interdisciplinary team members. Care is based on the nursing process, including data gathering, assessment, nursing judgment, and evaluation of actual or potential health problems. Duties include health teaching and counseling, providing care that supports or restores health and well-being, and carrying out medical regimens such as administering medications and treatments. The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient.

The unit serves critically ill adult and elderly Veterans, often with multiple chronic medical conditions and possible psychiatric components. Patients may require advanced life support, including mechanical ventilation. The Intensive Care Unit also serves as a surgical post-anesthesia recovery room and provides postoperative care for critically ill patients, including general, orthopedic, and urology surgery patients.

This is a permanent, full-time position with a scheduled shift of 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., including holidays and every other weekend. Compressed or flexible scheduling may be available according to agency needs, and the position requires flexibility in schedule and assignments. Telework and virtual work are not available. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and program approval. The award may be up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying equivalent nursing education as specified in the announcement.
• 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 education and experience criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Submit to pre-appointment urinalysis if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to male applicants born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete required background/security investigation and online onboarding.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet applicable application and documentation requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Step-down or ICU experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct primary nursing care for an assignment of one to three patients.
• Collaborate with nursing staff, physicians, and interdisciplinary team members in patient care.
• Gather data, assess patients, exercise nursing judgment, and evaluate responses to actual or potential health problems.
• Provide health teaching and counseling and care supportive of or restorative to health and well-being.
• Execute medical regimens, including administering medications and treatments.
• Manage competing priorities and complex patient situations in the ICU or Clinical Decision Unit (CDU).
• Assess care provided by team members and offer constructive feedback and praise.
• Document patient care accurately and promptly according to applicable standards.
• Comply with patient safety and accrediting body guidelines, VHA directives, and facility memorandums relevant to the ICU, CDU, and direct patient care.
• Communicate effectively and demonstrate professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with customers, team members, and supervisors.
• Participate in care planning to ensure patients are placed in an appropriate level of care.
• Participate in patient discharge planning and education.
• Evaluate standards of care, identify practices that are not evidence-based, and implement changes through current policies and procedures.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan reimbursement, subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of one to five years.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and 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 may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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