Registered Nurse - Community Living Center

Veterans Health Administration • Perry Point, MD

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Community Living Center (CLC) Registered Nurse is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process while providing and/or supervising direct patient care. The RN coordinates care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care; administers medications and procedures in accordance with established policies and guidelines; and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to influence care outcomes.

The CLC RN provides competent, evidence-based care to assigned residents and oversees licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants, as appropriate to the setting. The nurse assists in directing nursing education, orientation, competencies, quality improvement, and outcomes-utilization consultation. The role also includes leadership in delivering and improving holistic care, supporting colleagues through knowledge sharing, fostering a safe and supportive professional environment, and contributing a nursing perspective to interdisciplinary discussions. The RN partners with others to improve outcomes, shares educational findings and ideas with peers, questions clinical practices to promote evidence-based care, and participates in sustaining an evidence-based-practice culture. The RN collaborates with the Minimum Data Set (MDS) coordinator to ensure documentation is accurate and reflects the Resource Utilization Group (RUG) score. Other duties may be assigned.

The position offers various tours, including days, nights, and evenings, as needed to meet patient-care needs. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to its eligibility and application requirements.

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 posting.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered professional nurse license in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; an entry-level Graduate Nurse Technician exception may apply while pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education and experience criteria for the assigned Nurse grade and level.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Pass required pre-employment drug screening, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation; participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and complete annual employee-health requirements.
• Complete required online onboarding and provide acceptable identification; males born after 12/31/1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, extended periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing, and lifting at least 35 pounds; patient and object transfers may be required.
• Ability to work effectively in stressful situations, shift priorities according to patient needs, and work with potential exposure to infected patients, contaminated materials, isolation precautions, and occasionally combative patients.

Nice To Haves

• Sub-acute rehabilitation and long-term care experience within the past 3 years.
• Medical-surgical/acute care experience.
• Wound care experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide and/or supervise direct patient care and be accountable for all elements of the nursing process.
• Coordinate care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Administer medications and procedures in accordance with established policies and guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence care outcomes.
• Provide competent, evidence-based care to assigned residents and oversee licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as appropriate.
• Assist in directing nursing education, orientation, competencies, quality improvement, and outcomes-utilization consultation.
• Demonstrate leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies.
• Provide peers with informal, constructive feedback and support colleagues through knowledge sharing.
• Foster a safe and supportive environment conducive to healthcare professionals’ development.
• Contribute a professional nursing perspective to interdisciplinary team discussions and partner with others to improve outcomes.
• Share educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers; question clinical practices and participate in efforts to sustain an evidence-based-practice culture.
• Collaborate with the MDS coordinator to ensure documentation is accurate and reflects the RUG score.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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 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 may be carried into retirement.
• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan payment reimbursement, subject to eligibility and program approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree