Registered Nurse - Gastroenterology

Veterans Health Administration • Tallahassee, FL

17h • Onsite

About The Position

Join the North Florida/South Georgia Health Care System as a Registered Nurse in the Specialty Service, supporting gastroenterology care. The nurse provides competent, evidence-based, patient-centered care, prioritizes patient safety and quality, identifies patient needs, performs procedures, and coordinates nursing care and related health services. Specialty nurses apply infection-control practices to prevent post-procedure infections and cross-contamination, handle and label anatomic specimens appropriately, understand common clinic-specific conditions and treatments, and provide patient education.

The position supports the GI medicine clinic, GI endoscopy lab, and Vascular Access Device (VAD) Clinic. In the GI clinic, the nurse supports patient check-in and chart preparation, obtains outside medical records, educates patients about GI conditions and procedures, and provides triage and support by telephone and secure messaging. In the endoscopy lab, the nurse rotates through admission, moderate sedation, endoscopy technician, and recovery roles; assesses patients before procedures; establishes intravenous access; administers and monitors moderate sedation; assists with endoscopic procedures; and provides post-procedure monitoring, discharge education, documentation, and specimen and results tracking. In the VAD Clinic, the nurse accesses and deaccesses infusaports, collects blood specimens, follows CLABSI prevention techniques, and coordinates care with Hematology/Oncology.

The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; occasional overtime may be required. Telework and virtual work are not authorized. Relocation, recruitment incentives, and permanent change of station are not authorized. The role requires a current, full, active, and unrestricted nursing registration, subject to the education and qualification pathways described in the announcement. The position includes direct patient care and may involve extended periods of walking, standing, or sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending or kneeling, and travel in government vehicles to off-site locations.

Requirements

• Demonstrated proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, subject to the education pathways detailed in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician appointment may be available to eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the applicable education, experience, and practice 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 screening, including urinalysis for applicants selected for testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation or examination.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification and all required application documents.
• Be able to perform direct patient care that may involve prolonged walking, standing, or sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling; use safe patient handling and mobility protocols.
• Be able to drive or ride in government vehicles when reporting to or working at off-site locations, as required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Three to five years of varied medical/surgical/critical care RN experience, with above-average clinical and health assessment skills.
• Strong computer skills.
• Previous ambulatory care or community-based experience.
• Excellent critical-thinking skills in a rapidly changing environment.
• Strong teaching skills.
• Previous case-management experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the healthcare team and public, and strong patient/family advocacy.
• Team-oriented and proactive in adapting to change.
• Creativity, flexibility, and ability to work in a fast-paced, changing environment.

Responsibilities

• Promote evidence-based, patient-centered care and support patient self-management, prevention, and wellness in accordance with patient goals.
• Assess patients and verify medication orders, administer medications, and verify laboratory orders and results.
• Triage and support patient concerns and procedure or postoperative issues by telephone and secure messaging.
• Deliver and manage care for patients undergoing therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
• Observe, document, and report patient responses to treatment or changes in condition; respond to urgent or emergent situations and activate a code alert or EMS when indicated.
• Apply infection-control practices to prevent post-procedure infections and cross-contamination involving sterile and non-sterile instruments and supplies.
• Handle and label anatomic specimens and provide patient education about clinic-specific conditions and treatments.
• Support GI clinic operations, including patient check-in, pre-visit chart review, obtaining outside records, and patient education.
• Rotate among admission, moderate sedation, endoscopy technician, and recovery duties in the GI endoscopy lab.
• Review charts to determine suitability for outpatient endoscopy with moderate sedation; assess physical and mental status before procedures and respond appropriately to abnormal findings or distress.
• Establish intravenous access; administer moderate sedation under established protocols; monitor patients for medication response, adverse reactions, hemodynamic changes, and recovery.
• Use, care for, and maintain technical and computer equipment and software related to GI procedures and care.
• Assist the endoscopist with colonoscopy, EGD, flexible sigmoidoscopy, G-tube changes, biopsies and anatomic specimen retrieval, electrocautery, balloon dilation, and argon plasma coagulation.
• Clean equipment after procedures according to NFSG VHS policies and manufacturer recommendations; process anatomic specimens according to policy.
• Monitor patients after procedures and review discharge instructions with patients or caregivers.
• Document care accurately and thoroughly through all phases; track anatomic specimens, pathology reports, and patient-result notifications.
• In the VAD Clinic, access and deaccess infusaports, collect blood specimens, follow CLABSI prevention techniques, review future appointments, and coordinate patient needs with Hematology/Oncology.
• Perform other duties as assigned based on clinic needs.

Benefits

• 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.
• One full and unrestricted nursing license from any U.S. State or territory is accepted for licensure.

What This Job Offers

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