Registered Nurse - Intensive Care Unit

Veterans Health Administration • Syracuse, NY

4h • Onsite

About The Position

The Syracuse VA Medical Center is seeking a full-time Registered Nurse for its Intensive Care Unit. The nurse provides competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients, including direct high-intensity care for acutely and critically ill patients at high risk for actual or potential life-threatening health problems. The role involves vigilance, advanced assessment, use of information from invasive and noninvasive monitoring technology, and ongoing evaluation of care practices based on the best available evidence.

The nurse delegates and supervises basic nursing care provided by licensed practical nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel. The incumbent contributes to nursing education, orientation, competency development, quality improvement, and outcomes utilization. The role demonstrates leadership in holistic care through collaboration and supports colleagues through knowledge sharing and constructive feedback.

The position is full-time and works a day/night rotation: 7:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m., with an additional 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. tour biweekly. Compressed/flexible scheduling is authorized; telework and virtual work are not authorized.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility requirements and approval. Applicants must submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. The program office determines approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years); former EDRP participants are ineligible. The VA also offers a total rewards package that includes competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential performance awards, 50 days of paid time off per year, a federal pension with five-year vesting, a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions, and federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance.

Applicants must meet the nursing education and licensure requirements for the applicable grade. The position requires English proficiency and a current, full, active, unrestricted nursing registration in a U.S. state or territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception. ICU or critical care nursing experience is preferred. Physical demands include visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing, and potentially transferring patients or objects. The nurse may encounter infectious patients or contaminated materials, combative patients, and stressful situations; protective clothing may be required. Annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing, must be completed.

Requirements

• Graduate of an approved school of professional nursing accredited by ACEN or CCNE, subject to the stated alternatives for qualifying bridge-program candidates and foreign nursing education.
• Current, full, active, unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception may apply.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Meet the applicable grade-level education and experience criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• Meet U.S. citizenship requirements, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Selected applicants must undergo required urinalysis, background/security investigation, onboarding, and pre-employment physical evaluation; applicants must provide acceptable identification.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing.
• Must be able to meet the position's physical requirements, including visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, extended periods of movement or posture, and possible patient or object transfers.
• Must be flexible and capable of working effectively in stressful situations and shifting priorities based on patient needs.

Nice To Haves

• Current ICU or critical care nursing experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent, evidence-based nursing care to assigned patients, including direct high-intensity care for acutely and critically ill patients.
• Use assessment skills and information from invasive and noninvasive monitoring technology to monitor patients and respond to their needs.
• Administer medications and perform procedures in accordance with established policies and guidelines.
• Delegate and supervise basic nursing care performed by licensed practical nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel.
• Assist in directing nursing education, orientation, and competency activities.
• Contribute to quality improvement and outcomes utilization.
• Demonstrate leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaboration with others.
• Contribute the professional nursing perspective to interdisciplinary team discussions.
• Partner with colleagues to effect change, achieve optimal outcomes, and support safe, quality nursing care through knowledge sharing.
• Share educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers, and provide informal constructive feedback to improve practice.
• Question clinical practices and participate in activities that sustain an evidence-based-practice culture.
• Evaluate care practices on an ongoing basis using the best available evidence.
• Complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years subject to program approval and requirements.
• 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.
• 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