Registered Nurse (Acute Care)

Veterans Health Administration • Salisbury, NC

9h • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse (Acute Care) is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care within the Nursing Acute Care Unit. The nurse provides competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversees licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate to the setting. The nurse administers medications and performs procedures in accordance with established policies and guidelines.

The role includes assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating age-specific care; coordinating care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction; and contributing to nursing education, orientation, competency development, quality improvement, and outcomes utilization consultation. The nurse evaluates outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes, collaborates with the interdisciplinary team, and participates in unit- or program-level quality improvement and customer service initiatives. The nurse leads and organizes care delivery to ensure continuity and peer accountability in alignment with ANA Standards of Nursing Practice, and applies nursing expertise to lead improvement with demonstrated outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting.

This is a full-time position with various shifts and tours of duty, including rotating weekends and holidays. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, subject to the listed education and foreign-education provisions.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a Graduate Nurse Technician exception may apply to otherwise qualified candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the applicable education, experience, and dimension criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• Meet U.S. citizenship requirements, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated VA position must undergo urinalysis screening for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Register with Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete background/security investigation, online onboarding, and pre-employment identification requirements.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing.
• Complete all application requirements listed in the announcement's Required Documents section.
• Physical capacity and abilities include visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, manual dexterity, and potentially prolonged walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; transferring patients and objects may be required.
• Be able to work effectively in stressful situations, shift priorities based on patient needs, and function as a mature, flexible, and sensible individual.
• Use protective clothing when required in isolation situations, operative or invasive procedures, or home settings; the role may involve exposure to infected patients, contaminated materials, and occasionally combative patients.
• For care in home settings or other off-site locations, driving and/or riding in GSA vehicles may be required.

Nice To Haves

• 2–3 years of Medical/Surgical or Acute Care experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide and/or supervise direct patient care in the Nursing Acute Care Unit, taking accountability for all elements of the nursing process.
• Provide competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversee licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate.
• Administer medications and perform procedures according to established policies and guidelines.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care based on age-specific components.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Assist in directing nursing education, orientation, competencies, and quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation.
• Evaluate outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes.
• Participate actively in unit- or program-level quality improvement processes and initiatives, as well as customer service programs.
• Lead and organize care delivery to ensure continuity and peer accountability in alignment with ANA Standards of Nursing Practice.
• Apply nursing expertise to lead improvement with demonstrated outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities listed in the functional statement.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year, including 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: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree