Registered Nurse - Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • Fargo, ND

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse - Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse is assigned to the Surgical/Specialty Care Service Line and provides direct and indirect patient-centered care related to wound, ostomy, and continence management to patients of the Fargo VA Health Care System. The nurse manages the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Clinic, provides consultation services to the Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinics, and serves as a clinical expert and resource for this area of care.

The position involves coordinating safe, effective, and timely care with patients, families, and healthcare team members; evaluating and recommending care products and supplies; following approved clinical protocols and Medical Center standards; and educating healthcare staff on best practices. The nurse also participates on the Pressure Injury Prevention and Management Committee and assesses learning needs to provide education to nursing and support staff.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 0730–1600. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. 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, or qualifying foreign nursing education with required degree equivalency validation where applicable.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; qualifying candidates without licensure may be considered for a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician appointment while pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education and experience criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• Willingness to undergo urinalysis drug screening if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and complete required background/security investigation and onboarding steps.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.

Nice To Haves

• Wound and ostomy certification.
• Wound experience.
• If not certified in wound and ostomy, willingness to obtain training within two months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Clinic according to established primary care and patient access guidelines.
• Coordinate safe, effective, and timely care with patients, families, and healthcare team members.
• Provide wound, ostomy, and continence consultation services for the Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinics.
• Evaluate and recommend products and supplies used in wound, ostomy, and continence care.
• Follow approved clinical practice protocols and Medical Center standards.
• Educate and train healthcare staff on best practices for wound, ostomy, and continence care and management.
• Serve as a clinical expert and resource for wound, ostomy, and continence care, including participating on the Pressure Injury Prevention and Management Committee.
• Assess learning needs and provide wound, ostomy, and continence care education to nursing and support staff.

Benefits

• 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 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