Registered Nurse - Ambulatory Center for Surgery and Procedures

Veterans Health Administration • Lexington, KY

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse is responsible for providing nursing care to veterans in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and the Ambulatory Center for Surgery and Procedures (ACSP) Preoperative Unit. The role involves clinical, administrative, research, and educational responsibilities. The incumbent prepares patients for surgery and outpatient procedures, assists with postoperative recovery, provides discharge instructions, and provides care and monitoring during large-volume paracentesis. The nurse administers medications and procedures according to established policies and guidelines, and assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care using age-specific components.

The nurse collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to influence care outcomes and considers each individual's age and life stage, health, race and culture, values, and experiences. The role includes coordinating care through transitions across the continuum, educating patients and families, supporting patient self-management after discharge, and contributing to customer satisfaction. The nurse is accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday on a day tour, with on-call requirements. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. 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 equivalent nursing 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; an exception may apply for Graduate Nurse Technicians pursuing licensure.
• U.S. citizenship, unless appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
• Selected applicants must undergo required drug screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, and identification verification.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and annual Employee Health requirements, including influenza vaccination and TB screening or testing.
• Ability to meet the position’s physical requirements, including visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, manual dexterity, extended periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing, and lifting at least 50 pounds; patient and object transfers may be required.
• Ability to work effectively in stressful situations and adjust priorities to organizational needs.
• Ability to work on-call as required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Critical Care experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare patients for surgery and outpatient procedures.
• Assist with the postoperative recovery of patients.
• Provide veterans with discharge instructions following surgery and procedures.
• Provide care and monitoring during large-volume paracentesis.
• Administer medications and perform procedures according to established policies and guidelines.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care using age-specific components.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes.
• Consider patients’ age and life stages, health status, race and culture, values, and previous experiences when providing care.
• Coordinate care during patient transitions across the continuum of care.
• Provide patient and family education and support patient self-management after discharge.
• Support factors that affect customer satisfaction.
• Assume responsibility and accountability for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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
• Education Level: Associate degree