Registered Nurse - Critical Care

Veterans Health Administration • Lexington, KY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Critical Care Registered Nurse (RN) provides and/or supervises direct nursing care for critically ill patients and is accountable for all elements of the nursing process, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Care is based on age-specific needs and emphasizes patient education, self-management, and satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. The RN administers medications and performs procedures according to established policies and guidelines, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to influence patient outcomes.

The RN uses expert technical skills, theoretical knowledge, and critical thinking to manage complex care for acutely or critically ill patients who are at high risk of actual or potential life-threatening health problems. The position demonstrates leadership and creative approaches to care management, contributes to the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies and guidelines, and evaluates evidence-based practice outcomes at the program or service level.

The RN provides constructive feedback and knowledge-sharing to peers, supports safe, high-quality nursing care, and fosters a supportive environment for the professional development of healthcare professionals. The position has rotating 12-hour shifts and is not eligible for telework or virtual work. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to program requirements and approval; awards may be up to $200,000, with eligibility periods of 1 to 5 years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying equivalent education as described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a Graduate Nurse Technician temporary appointment exception may apply to eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Must meet the applicable education, experience, and dimension criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Selected candidates in testing-designated positions must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must undergo a background/security investigation and complete online onboarding and required application documentation.
• Must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program and complete annual Employee Health requirements, including influenza vaccination and TB screening or testing.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.
• Must meet physical and mental fitness requirements, including visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, capacity for prolonged periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing, and ability to lift at least 50 pounds.
• Must be able to transfer patients and objects as required, use protective clothing in isolation or operative/invasive situations, and work effectively in stressful situations while adjusting priorities to organizational needs.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• At least 1 year of medical-surgical experience.
• Prior experience in a critical care or intensive care unit.
• Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate direct care for critically ill patients, including care based on age-specific needs.
• 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.
• Demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to managing complex client care.
• Collaborate in developing, implementing, evaluating, and revising policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Improve care for acutely or critically ill patients at high risk for actual or potential life-threatening health problems, regardless of nursing care setting.
• Provide peers with constructive feedback and support colleagues through knowledge-sharing to promote safe, quality nursing care.
• Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to healthcare professionals' development.
• Evaluate outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes for individuals, groups, and populations, and document outcomes at the program or service level.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with awards of up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of 1 to 5 years.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 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 5-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: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree