Registered Nurse (Endoscopy)

Veterans Health Administration • Nashville, TN

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Endoscopy Registered Nurse (RN) delivers and manages care for inpatient and outpatient patients undergoing therapeutic and diagnostic endoscopy procedures. The nurse assesses patients’ physical and mental status before procedures, provides education about procedural and post-procedural care, documents responses to interventions and findings, and reports changes in patient condition. The role may include pre-procedure assessments, post-procedure recovery, and assisting physicians during procedures. The nurse maintains proficiency in the maintenance, cleaning, and preparation of endoscopy-specific equipment, recognizes changes in patient-care situations, initiates appropriate emergency responses, adapts to changes in the daily schedule, and may be assigned call subject to facility response-time policies.

The RN is accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing or supervising direct patient care, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation based on age-specific components. The position coordinates care across the continuum, including patient and family education, self-management after discharge, customer satisfaction, and safe transitions in partnership with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team. The nurse administers medications and procedures in accordance with established policies and guidelines and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to influence care outcomes, including care aligned with Veterans’ goals.

The position also contributes to the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and guidelines; gives peers constructive feedback; supports the professional development of health care professionals; and evaluates outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes. The nurse is responsible for documented outcomes at the program or service level. The posting describes leadership, experience, and creative approaches to managing complex client care.

Work schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change-of-station benefits are not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from a professional nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or another education pathway described in the announcement, including qualifying foreign nursing education.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; the announcement describes a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician exception for qualifying candidates pursuing licensure.
• Must be physically and mentally able to perform the duties efficiently.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds or more and to twist and/or bend, stand, and/or walk almost constantly during the workday.
• U.S. citizenship is required, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Selected applicants must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and are subject to a background/security investigation and, for testing-designated positions, pre-appointment urinalysis.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Selected applicants must complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.

Nice To Haves

• GI lab experience or other procedural experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and manage care for patients undergoing therapeutic and diagnostic endoscopy procedures, including inpatients and outpatients.
• Assess patients’ physical and mental status before procedures; educate patients about procedural and post-procedural care; document responses and findings; and report changes in patient condition.
• Coordinate care and support safe transitions across the continuum in partnership with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team, incorporating Veterans’ goals of care.
• Provide patient and family education and support self-management after discharge and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Perform pre-procedure assessments, post-procedure recovery, and assistance to physicians during procedures as assigned.
• Maintain proficiency in the maintenance, cleaning, and preparation of endoscopy-specific equipment.
• Recognize changes in patient-care situations and initiate appropriate emergency responses; adapt to changes in the daily schedule and follow facility policies if assigned call.
• Perform or supervise all elements of the nursing process, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation based on age-specific components.
• Administer medications and perform procedures in accordance with established policies and guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Provide peers with formal or informal constructive feedback and foster a safe, supportive environment for professional development.
• Evaluate outcomes of evidence-based decisions and practice changes and document outcomes at the program or service level.

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 and a 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