Registered Nurse - Ambulatory Care Out Patient / Drive Thru RN

Veterans Health Administration • Albuquerque, NM

26d • Onsite

About The Position

The Outpatient Staff Registered Nurse provides compassionate, evidence-based nursing care in an ambulatory clinic setting, including outpatient and drive-through care. The role coordinates care across clinic visits and home self-management, supports patients through education, and promotes smooth transitions, self-care, and patient satisfaction. The nurse guides LVNs and nursing assistants and applies leadership, experience, and creative approaches to complex primary care. The position requires sound clinical judgment, critical thinking, deliberate planning, and the ability to manage competing priorities and complex situations. The nurse collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and administers medications and procedures according to established policies and guidelines.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not authorized, and this is not a virtual position. The posting describes a comprehensive VA total rewards package, including paid leave, retirement, insurance, and licensure-related provisions.

Requirements

• Graduate of a professional nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or meet the stated provisions for qualifying nursing education, including applicable foreign-education equivalency requirements.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse license in a U.S. State, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; the posting describes a limited temporary GNT exception for eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English for direct patient care.
• Meet the education and experience criteria for the assigned VA Nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship is required, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete applicable pre-employment screening, onboarding, identification, and background/security requirements; applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.

Nice To Haves

• One to two years of RN experience in a primary care setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in directing nursing education, orientation, and competency activities, and contribute to quality improvement and improved outcomes utilization.
• Apply outpatient nursing knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment to manage complex situations and set goals independently.
• Validate understanding of the rationale for care processes and decisions, and question clinical practices to support evidence-based care.
• Manage competing priorities using outpatient practice competence, deliberate planning, critical thinking, and sound decision-making.
• Coordinate care across the continuum, focusing on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction.
• Administer medications and perform procedures in accordance with established policies and guidelines.
• Collaborate with members of the interdisciplinary team to influence patient outcomes.
• Guide LVNs and nursing assistants to support safe, high-quality service.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year, consisting of 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• 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